There are definitely times I look at my nearly-grown children and wonder how on earth they got to be the people they are evolving into. It seems parenting is a constant movement through phases and cycles and changes (much like life in general.) I change and evolve, and they each change and evolve. And, while there is pain and grieving that often comes with these various stages, there is also the opportunity to fall in love with each of my children over and over again.
The other night, I was visiting with an old friend and my eldest, seventeen-year-old daughter came in and plopped down to join the conversation. I realized that she was moving out of that isolation, grown-ups-are-dumb stage. Watching how she interacted on such a mature level–she was witty, conversational, and appropriate and, of course, my friend was treating her more like the nearly-adult woman she is than the “kid” I have a tendency to treat her like. The dynamic was completely different than it usually is in family life and I was able to see my daughter in a very different light. I couldn’t help thinking what a fabulous, brilliant person she is–how on earth did that happen?! What happened to that precocious little girl? The awkward pre-teen? The snarky adolescent?
So, while folding laundry this morning, I found myself realizing that with each new layer that evolves after the struggle of shedding old skin, I have the opportunity to fall in love with my children all over again. Just as I was dazzled by each of them after the miracle of birth, amazed as they learned to walk and talk and head off into the world, I am still continuously dazzled that after all the struggles and trials, these amazing individuals are blessing my life!
See Also: You Can Sit Here…But Don’t Talk to Me and Old Enough to Vote!