Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Our Children's Journey

It has been said that life is a series of journeys and that every journey begins with a single step. I guess carrying another being inside makes one stop and ponder such thoughts. So far, as with previous pregnancies, it has just been Baby and me on his journey. Sure, others can "view" from the outside like my husband, family or friends. But basically it has been he and I. I have felt his first flutter, his kicks, his squirming…and although I really want him out…I will miss this part of his journey. Yet soon another one will begin.

As parents we get that privilege of being part of our children's journey and thus our OWN journey too. They move from small helpless beings into these self reliant and independent children. You teach them how to do things and then one day…you find yourself no longer a participator but a spectator. They grow up and "When" you wonder, "did they do THAT?" And YOU grow.

See even though our Goobers are still young…I am a bit saddened to see them growing so quickly and yet at the same time am SO glad they are becoming questioning little beings in their own right. They are incredible little beings who are growing in knowledge, creativity and capability each day. I love to see them on their journey and although I can still participate, as they ARE young, I know that one day I will stand on the sidelines. Shaking with fear and Hope, biting my lip when they struggle, yet knowing this will be part of their learning. They will have journeys in their lives that I will be able to see and other private journeys that NO one may be witness to.

I try to stay in the moment with them and not "plan" too much for the future so I can enjoy the "Now" with them. John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Wasting the precious time we DO have together by worrying about their subsequent journey makes me miss out on the present journey. And I do NOT want to miss THAT!

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