I call it, quite simply, Letters to my Children. Frankly, life is terminal. Life is short. And often persons say, "if only I had known..." So I'm going to chronicle things I want to say to both of my children on this blog.
It is where I am attempting to write down those things I want them to know. Things they did when they were little, accomplishments that made me so proud and filled with awe. About what a fierce love it is a mother has for their child.
It is where I am attempting to write down those things I want them to know. Things they did when they were little, accomplishments that made me so proud and filled with awe. About what a fierce love it is a mother has for their child.
It's about my feelings on mothering and perhaps even about being a grandmother. For my son, quite possibly it will be about “how to treat a wife” or what to do vs. what not to do if you ever expect to get married and have it work.
I believe it was Bette Davis who said, “Old age ain’t for Sissies.” And as true as that is, parenting isn’t for sissies either. It takes stamina, determination, love, discipline and prayer. Lots and lots of prayer. And lots and lots of unconditional love! Oh, and did I mention the tears? There are a lot of them, too!
Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles (and eight other surviving children) was know to throw her apron over her head when things got a bit tense and her children would quite down, knowing that she was before the Lord in prayer.
Years ago, we had neighbors who struggled with infertility. I received a letter from Catholic Adoption Services questioning me on how I felt they would be as parents. I believe I wrote them a letter of epic proportion!
I indicated to the agency that I too, had been an adopted child, albeit through private arrangements and family ties. My adoptive parents didn’t have to go through the rigors of questions such as this. Persons who easily conceive and give birth are not subjected to such questions. Some of the aforementioned groups should not have children as evidenced by statistics on child abuse and exploitation. But that’s another blog for another time.
I often wonder what memories my children hold of growing up. I hope they have more good memories than bad ones. I hope they can focus on the good and not on the bad. We had days of plenty and then we had the lean times. Sometimes I miss the lean times as I think we were closer then. Struggling, yes, but for the common good of F::A::M::I::L::Y.
We weren’t church goers until our son and daughter were 4 and 14, respectively. Yes… there’s an almost 10-year difference in their ages. (God knew my limitations!)
Then, more often than naught, we would align ourselves with these small little churches that had an elderly population and no children’s programs. Looking back, that was wrong of us. We should have sought out churches that could minister to our children and include them in worship.
And so, this is where I’ve been lately: jotting down memories and treasures that I hope one day will be read by my children and their children.
Proverbs 31:25-27 (NKJ)
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Tamara