I’m Going to Miss Something – Guest Post
Being there so I don’t miss the most important.
I’m going to miss something and I’m the one who chooses what that something is.
The past few weeks are pretty well summed up in the photos in this post. We’ve joined the ranks of the “getting thru” realities of the flu. These realities have pulled me once again to realization of what parenting is.
We are foolish or blindly ignorant if we believe we can enter into parenting and live life as we always lived it before. Children change everything. Priorities change. Schedule shifts. Sleep falls to the underaged planning committee who does not have our best interest in mind. Nothing is as it was and that is how it should be.
Forevermore a parent
We are no longer who we were. We are now and forevermore a parent.
In this calling, we miss familiar and comfortable things: events due to sickness, ease of living life based on a bit of our own whim. Yet, this divine assignment is accompanied by a change in us. We are forever changed.
Ironically, the things we miss as parents never compare to the rewarding experiences only afforded by parenthood. To miss “the fun thing” allows us to be present with a child who needs from us what no one else can give. Truly, missing one thing allows us to be present for a higher calling. Too often we aren’t very mature about it. We feel like we’ve been handed a raw deal when our children’s need of our love and attention result in personal sacrifice.
Hearing the news of a dear family friend who suddenly passed away brought this to clear perspective. While we may think our death lies far in the future, the inevitable truth is that one day we will be the subject of an obituary.
No regrets
When our children stand next to our graveside as we are lowered into the ground, will they remember our presence in their lives or our absence? Will they remember a home where their needs and nurture came before other things?
How we live today matters.
How we value and prioritize the needs of our children in vulnerable years matters! We might miss a party, but we won’t miss what really matters.
There will always be other parties, but the opportunities we have to be fully present with our children will all too soon be gone. While there may be moments when we feel left out, one day we will realize our joy and fulfillment was found in the journey of parenting. We didn’t miss it after all!
We had the privilege of BEING there! Yes, we got to do it! We didn’t lose out! We embraced it! And, we will never, ever regret the honor and reward of being present with our children.
About the author: Anita lives in northern Virginia and is mom to seven children under ten (including a set of twins). She willingly gave me permission to share this post. Her mothering inspires me. I enjoy watching her manage life and maintain her marriage.
Where do I find Anita’s blog?
Anita does not have a blog. She knows people think she should. 🙂 Maybe some day . . . . Right now, she’s busy being a mom to her kiddos – and doing a great job of it!