always new...

As we put together the photos for our son's wedding last month, it really made me reflect, with gratitude, about all the years of love, fun together and hilarious moments we always tried to capture with the camera. I think the photos we included in the slideshow gave a realistic picture of the kind of kid he was. LOTS OF FUN!! i could tell that people enjoyed the humour of his approach to life as the photos went by- a double joy!!
Here's the irony of parenting that also struck me. Just when you begin to get familiar with your children's particular character, the era of intense parenting is over! Just when you begin to feel some 'groove' developing...poof! its done!
But here's the best part! Just when that is over....and by all means grieve that part being over...a new part begins!! While i'm an experienced mom of toddlers, school aged kids- mine anyway- i am a complete naked and ignorant newborn at parenting adult kids! See? a new adventure!!
Rather than bemoan all that is past- lean into the new adventure! Parenting is never over- ahem, that's a good thing- don't you roll your eyes- i see you!! :P
But so far, i really like this part- making friends with your children- learning how to reign in that motor-mouth like advice until asked- oh i am still just dreadful at that!! But i'm sure i will learn, gradually, as God teaches me...and i listen to the wisdom of my friends with grown kids. Bit by bit- they've never been adults before either, so we will get the hang of it together. we will forgive often. we will laugh at our mistakes (i hope) and learn to see our humanness with more grace and kindness than they could muster (or i could?) when they were teenagers.
Growing together- yes i like that. In a new and different way.
In our Lord's economy, there's always newness, freshness and adventures. i kind of like that.
May our God grant you wisdom, in whatever era of parenting you are in, to both enjoy the journey and forgive yourself for being fallible. It happens and that's what God's grace is for, after all!
peace out!