If I believe everything I read about adolescence, I am supposed to remember that this is tough work. Over the last 4 years, I've been knee deep in doubt wondering if I am doing the best with my son. I've worried about what he's been through, what he's endured, words he's had to hear, and if I've given him any advice that is meaningful as he grows up (and in some ways -- away).
He is by NO MEANS a perfect kid. But, being a mom has impacted me as a teacher and then as a leader. Due to some recent events and observations, I've realized that some of the worries I used to have about my son have lessened. Some have disappeared. And some, are just a whisper.
I try to remember what my "mom shoes" feel like when I meet with parents. I think as parents we have similar worries about our kids. We want them to feel safe. We want them to meet with success. We want them to be forgiven and supported when they make mistakes. We want them to be noticed for their gifts.
I'm talking about the gifts we see when we look at them. The kind of gifts that need to be discovered when eyes and hearts work together.
When I was pregnant with my son, the song "I Hope You Dance", seemed to play on the radio (what's a radio?) every time I turned it on. It became the song I'd sing aloud to him before I even met him. The words, on the simplest level, are still my basic hopes for him.
I suspect many of the parents I work for want the same aspirations for their children too. Perhaps the same song generates a common, shared wish.
He is by NO MEANS a perfect kid. But, being a mom has impacted me as a teacher and then as a leader. Due to some recent events and observations, I've realized that some of the worries I used to have about my son have lessened. Some have disappeared. And some, are just a whisper.
I try to remember what my "mom shoes" feel like when I meet with parents. I think as parents we have similar worries about our kids. We want them to feel safe. We want them to meet with success. We want them to be forgiven and supported when they make mistakes. We want them to be noticed for their gifts.
I'm talking about the gifts we see when we look at them. The kind of gifts that need to be discovered when eyes and hearts work together.
When I was pregnant with my son, the song "I Hope You Dance", seemed to play on the radio (what's a radio?) every time I turned it on. It became the song I'd sing aloud to him before I even met him. The words, on the simplest level, are still my basic hopes for him.
I suspect many of the parents I work for want the same aspirations for their children too. Perhaps the same song generates a common, shared wish.
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance...."
-- Lee Ann Womack
This post was inspired by an incredible "mom" post written by Danielle Gately. Her post about her 13 year old son made me reflect about my own 13 year old. Check out her post here.
Comments
Post a Comment