With passing time and life combining to be great teachers, I find myself being directed to reconsider how I frame and evaluate my attempts at parenting through the lives of my children and their children. I never imagined this day. I may have talked about it, but my imagination stopped with my words. I was blind and dumb to the images, emotions, and reflection which would come with time in my life.
There are many lessons if one is willing to reflect. As I consider the outcomes, I am struck by the psalmist’s observation; “Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.” (Psalm 127.5)
The psalmist shared an insight which is often hard to believe when you are in the middle of the battle to survive. Yet, in the context of what is important, nothing can take away from the gifts children freely give by their desire and willingness to live.
Reflections always come with realizations which are difficult to accept. There are so many decisions and choices that I wish I could make again. Kindness would always triumph. Being fully present in the good times and bad as each grew up would be a given!
Considering these, I am impressed and encourage by a child’s ability to smile in the most difficult circumstances and learn to make their own way. From my biased view, they took the best of what was offered to them and discarded what was not useful at the time. I was fortunate to live long enough to see good triumph, hope grow, and love take root.
In the present, I continue to learn and relearn life’s lessons, specifically in the context of my mortality. The best one can do with the past is learn from it and apply it to the opportunity in the moment at hand. I see hope alive and flourishing in the generations which follow me. Today’s opportunity is to live as a light for the steps ahead.
