David Rosenman is a physician and assistant professor in Rochester, MN. He’s also a father with two young children.
When David recently took his 9-year-old girl to breakfast at a coffee shop he never expected to come with such an incredible story now touching the hearts of thousands of people across the country.
When they arrived at the restaurant, David planned to read his newspaper while his daughter worked on her knitting project. But before they dug into their respective activities, she looked up at her father and asked if they could “just be together.” Instead of brushing off her request and reading, David knew what he needed to do.
He spent the entire lunch devoted to a magical conversation with his little girl.
They laughed, they joked, they shared stories and ideas — and most of all, they simply enjoyed each other’s company.
But before they left the restaurant, David returned from paying the bill and found a mysterious note sitting on the table where they ate. He picked up this anonymous message from a stranger, and was so taken aback by the handwritten words that he shared it on Facebook later that day.
https://www.facebook.com/davidrosenman
David’s post reads;
“Dear Fellow Human Beings,
This morning, at her request, I took our 9-year-old daughter to a coffee shop. She brought with her a little crocheting activity; I brought the newspaper, a notebook & pen, and my phone. This was going to be an outing not unlike others we’d had before: while sitting at the same table, we’d do our own things — she’d keep herself occupied with something, and I’d catch-up on emails, organize my week, get work done, etc. Sound familiar?
Today, she made one additional request: ‘Daddy, can you not read the paper or doodle or check email today? Can we just be together?’ I’m not trying to be melodramatic; that was her question.”
“So today, we were together. She showed me her yarn project. I recalled the day she was born. We compared notes about whether or not couples at other tables were on “dates” (she likes to impersonate people on dates — resting her smiling face on her hand and practicing a starry-eyed stare). She told me about her friends and their hamsters. I watched her chew her breakfast sandwich and melted a little bit as I thought about how much I love her.
I wished it hadn’t taken her past experience and her courageous reaching out for me to give her the attention she so wanted and needed.”
“Before we left, I went up to the counter to order a take-out snack for her brother. When I returned to our table, there was a note, left face-down, in front of my seat. My daughter told me that a woman, before leaving the coffee shop, had asked her if I was her father and said that the message was for me. I looked around (nobody was there) and flipped over the paper to find the words below.
This anonymous message was enough of a reinforcement for me, that I hope more people might be guided by its power and by its author’s thoughtfulness.”
“Please don’t wait for your child or other loved one to plead for your attention like mine did — he or she might not. Expect that no one will leave a note for you — such beauty in this world is far too rare. I invite you to share the gift of this experience with me: choose to be present today — even for just a little while — for someone you love. If you see it happen somewhere, consider leaving a note — it sure does leave an impression.
— David”
This is such a powerful message — and what a heartwarming picture David paints for us. It’s really nice when people reach out to extend words of kindness without being asked.
As far as Rosenman and his daughter are concerned, we have the sneaking suspicion that they’ll be having more father-daughter dates like this. He’ll need to stay up-to-date on what the cool kids are up to, after all.
Sources: VN.com & littlethings.com
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Kindness Blog 
My daughter used to would throw fits and such to get my attention. One day I stopped her and asked her “What is this really about?” She is an extremely intelligent 5 year old and she stopped to think for a moment before she answered me, finally she just said “Mommy I just want you to spend time with me.” I do make it a point to spend time with her, at least an hour ususally longer, of one on one, just me and her time since then. But I also told her that day “Instead of throwing fits or being ugly just tell mommy that you need some more one on one time with me and you will get it.” We cook together, we play Barbies, legos and such together and we at days end read together. I know it is not always easy to devote your downtime to others as you have worked all day and would like to just rest, read, be alone with your thoughts but it is an investment that returns so much to you. It is not just coexisting anymore, it is a relationship that will be a foundation for all other relationships in her life. Important stuff and worth taking the time.
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Thank you so much for sharing from your own experience. Just wonderful 🙂
Cheers, Mike.
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This really made me smile! A wonderful story and there’s no greater gift than being present for a child. 😊
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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A kind of magic does happen when any child has an adult’s, especially a parent’s, unforced and undivided attention, and as much and as oftenas possible is what both deserve.
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Amazing children need one on one time with their parent from time to time
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Some of my most favorite times are going out to eat with my now 13 year old son. Daddy works a compressed 7 day work week, so it’s like he’s gone for 7 days (and there are some work weeks when he is actually gone for the week) and then he’s around for a week. Especially when Dad is away, is when my son will sometimes ask if we can go out to eat. Always a pleasure.
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Same for me. Eating with the children is absolutely one of my favourite things to do 🙂
Best, Mike.
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