Parent Joy

There is no greater joy in parenting than seeing your children find who they are meant to be and flying that direction. It is more satisfying than even finding your own way. I mean, it feels good to do what you are meant to do, but you have some sense of control over it. With your kids there is just so much hoping and praying that goes on. You want them to be safe, but not so safe that they are afraid to risk. You want them to perform, but not so much that they conform. You want them to grow, but not so much that they forget who you are. You adore them. You route for them. Loudly and without embarrassment. They are yours. And when they fall down, you never feel the need to tell them how you knew they would. You pick them up, stand them on their feet, look them in the eye and tell them that they are yours. And always will be. But there comes a day when they don't need you to pick them up so much. And they don't need you cheering in the stands. They are ready. They are balance on the edge of the nest and flapping their wings. And suddenly, with a gasp from you and from them, they take off. Wobbly. Frail looking. Plummeting. But suddenly, WOW, there they go!!! And you see them swoop back up, recovering from that free fall look. Suddenly those young bodies look grown and mature, hard to tell from the adults around. Taller than you. More computer literate. And flying. Flying away. Flying high. Flying to their own new place. And you gulp. And you cry. And you hurt. But deeper and more intense is the sense of pride. The sense that they have done exactly what they were made to do. And at those moments in life, there is no greater joy in parenting. It makes all of the diapers, the vomit, the late nights, the worry, the trouble, the everything, completely worthwhile. And your heart rushes into your throat and you tremble with the thought........my child has become an adult. And it feels so good. And, if the kid is worth his salt, he lets you revel in your pride and doesn't take all of the credit for himself. He remembers where he came from. He doesn't lose sight of where he is going.
Don't worry, your job is never done. It just changes. It goes from boss to advisor. And it is much more pleasant. Enjoy the fruits or your years of labor.
blessings,
rhonda