Here's to the messiness of life. I've been luxuriating in the photos in my social media feeds from friends with school aged children. The first day of school is so far away for our family but I still feel the excitement that I had as a child. At the same time, I'm astonished by parents that have a printed out sign with updated information each year as a reference point - how old, what grade, what school, etc.
On a Sunday morning show, I was even more astounded by a father that interviewed his daughter each year on what she hoped to do for work and then created a compilation of excerpts through the years from nursery school to college. So entertaining to watch the evolution but in our house we often could not find or remember our video recorder so our archive is much much more spotty. Yet, it is still treasured.
Michael, the signs are fun (apart from the info telling all the creepers online exactly where to find your child) and I love the idea of a little interview. That’s next level!
So many right ways to parent with love ... let's celebrate our diversity. Look at nature ~ God clearly is a huge fan of diversity. Different plants & animals offer different strengths that help through different challenges in different ways.
I, who at one point sold photographs, took SO MANY pictures of our three sons, yet never once remembered to take even one on the first day of school. One of many expectations I let go of as parenthood taught me its lessons. Stories must suffice.
We took pictures, they’re in albums, now. Now I get photo album books for my birthday of my grandkids. Fun memories, not a competition. Something to hold on to!
"I wanted those pictures as a sign that I was doing this parenting thing correctly. A signal that I read the invisible book and understood the impossible instructions. A lucky charm against life’s chaos." Beautiful writing that captures a painful truth. Thanks.
I was thinking of the “back to school” pics I took of my freshman and senior in high school in their separate bedrooms, starting their respective first and last years in high school still in Covid isolation. It broke my heart. I don’t blame anyone or anything for that decision for them to be home, but that moment was so sad.
My childhood school photos never found a frame within the stale cigarette and 24 hours ago vodka smells that permeated our living room walls each morning when I grabbed a fudge cycle out of the freezer for breakfast on my way out the door. Juvenile hall at 14, kicked out of school at fifteen, married at sixteen, motherhood at seventeen, abandoned by eighteen, mental hospital, gang rape, drugs, abuse, serious mental illness, divorce, single motherhood, broken neck, brain tumor surgeries...and now, recovering from radiation therapy as the tumor has returned...but! In the midst of all of that...college at fifty, private practice as a psychotherapist by fifty-nine, artist, grandmother, great-grandmother, loving, wonderful adult children, a thirty year marriage to a husband who adores me, and as I sit here, contemplating when I'll feel well enough again to get back to it....looking forward to my classes in art, pattern design, business, Pilates, cooking, nature, and especially love. Life is tough, painful, fragile, and beautiful. Let's do this thing!
Here's to the messiness of life. I've been luxuriating in the photos in my social media feeds from friends with school aged children. The first day of school is so far away for our family but I still feel the excitement that I had as a child. At the same time, I'm astonished by parents that have a printed out sign with updated information each year as a reference point - how old, what grade, what school, etc.
On a Sunday morning show, I was even more astounded by a father that interviewed his daughter each year on what she hoped to do for work and then created a compilation of excerpts through the years from nursery school to college. So entertaining to watch the evolution but in our house we often could not find or remember our video recorder so our archive is much much more spotty. Yet, it is still treasured.
Michael, the signs are fun (apart from the info telling all the creepers online exactly where to find your child) and I love the idea of a little interview. That’s next level!
So many right ways to parent with love ... let's celebrate our diversity. Look at nature ~ God clearly is a huge fan of diversity. Different plants & animals offer different strengths that help through different challenges in different ways.
I, who at one point sold photographs, took SO MANY pictures of our three sons, yet never once remembered to take even one on the first day of school. One of many expectations I let go of as parenthood taught me its lessons. Stories must suffice.
Lisa, you are wise, as always!
We took pictures, they’re in albums, now. Now I get photo album books for my birthday of my grandkids. Fun memories, not a competition. Something to hold on to!
Nice to have albums! That’s fun!
"I wanted those pictures as a sign that I was doing this parenting thing correctly. A signal that I read the invisible book and understood the impossible instructions. A lucky charm against life’s chaos." Beautiful writing that captures a painful truth. Thanks.
Thanks, Ruth!
I was thinking of the “back to school” pics I took of my freshman and senior in high school in their separate bedrooms, starting their respective first and last years in high school still in Covid isolation. It broke my heart. I don’t blame anyone or anything for that decision for them to be home, but that moment was so sad.
Ouch. That is hard. What a moment to remember.
My childhood school photos never found a frame within the stale cigarette and 24 hours ago vodka smells that permeated our living room walls each morning when I grabbed a fudge cycle out of the freezer for breakfast on my way out the door. Juvenile hall at 14, kicked out of school at fifteen, married at sixteen, motherhood at seventeen, abandoned by eighteen, mental hospital, gang rape, drugs, abuse, serious mental illness, divorce, single motherhood, broken neck, brain tumor surgeries...and now, recovering from radiation therapy as the tumor has returned...but! In the midst of all of that...college at fifty, private practice as a psychotherapist by fifty-nine, artist, grandmother, great-grandmother, loving, wonderful adult children, a thirty year marriage to a husband who adores me, and as I sit here, contemplating when I'll feel well enough again to get back to it....looking forward to my classes in art, pattern design, business, Pilates, cooking, nature, and especially love. Life is tough, painful, fragile, and beautiful. Let's do this thing!
Linda, what an adventure ride you’re on! That’s such a vivid description of your early years. Blessings as you get back to what you want to do!
Thanks, Mary! I'm in the "thick of it," as I just finished radiation last week, but soon!
Thank you, Candie. I hope things keep moving toward peace and fullness for all of you.