I was watching Rob Riner’s The Princess Bride last night (such a classic movie!) and as I watched the ending where little Freddy Savage’s grandpa is saying good by and Fred asks if he can come back tomorrow and read the story again and his grandfather (played by Peter Falk) says “As you Wish” it dawned on me that unconditional love is perhaps one of the strongest things in the world.

We learned earlier in the movie that “As you wish” is Westley’s way of telling Buttercup that he loved her (and she finally realized it) unconditionally, he would respond that way no matter the request. I don’t mean unconditional love in the way that a golfer loves his golf swing training aid or the way a little kid loves their blankie, but the way a dog loves his master or a parent loves their child.

Having (now) three little girls of mine own to watch after, I’m reminded of this daily as the two older ones are constantly pushing the limit of how far I will let them get away with things. As my parents used to tell me “Just because I’m mad at you, or I do not approve of what you’re doing, don’t forget that I still love you no matter what”. And its true.

Without a parents love we would not have the ability to grow up to be empathetic parents and people ourselves. We need role models in our lives that provide that sort of love, thats the important part of being a parent.

So whenever my girls come to me and ask for something I usually comply, with a wink and an “As you wish”.

Related External Links

• YU Blog » A few thoughts on “helicopter parents”
• Math, character, and a bit of The Princess Bride « Only Sometimes …

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