It is interesting to talk to parents of young children as well as those who are considering the prospect. There are hopes, dreams, how it changes you, and lots more. The dream I rarely talk about is the desire of every parent for her/his child to become all s/he can be.
My dreams took time to become clear. While they always included my children, my dreams morphed from success, to achieving their dreams, and many variations in between. I have come to appreciate that my early prayers reflected an old psalm; “Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers.” (Psalm 144.12). it is now much simpler; “may they know and love being Divinity’s loving child”.
I am fortunate. I can say with confidence, every child is a child of God’s. I see young adults who live out care and compassion every day. I see lives restored and recreated with their actions working in concert with God’s other kids. As I reflect on who they have become, I see compassionate hope in action, resilient principles embraced and championed, and a willingness to live in harmony with others. It is hard to remember what I imagined because this is so much more!
I know I am not alone, I was not the first and will not be the last. As I watched parents and children in a hotel restaurant at breakfast, I found myself reliving memories and emotions. The chaos of kids with strong views of what they would like as well as what they had no interest in, fueled by food islands designed to touch and inspire the imagination was just the beginning. As I helped a young boy receive his special designed pancake – a Mickey Mouse meets his likeness including glasses and smile, it was easy to remember great parent experiences.
The life lesson is to pray, keep the dialogue open, and get out of the way. Every child needs to walk her/his path and they will need a helping hand now and then.
