A Day Away

 Today was a  long and eventful day. I told Rob to take the whole day to rest. I would take the kids out and about and force him to stay behind to sleep or play guitar or just stare at the river. He deserved that after his first year of teaching and being such an amazing partner with the kids. Unfortunately, Welles wanted to get an early start. A five AM start. No one should be up at five AM. Especially someone who is spending the day with a teenager, a tween girl and a baby. But, there we were loaded into the van headed to Cashiers NC for the day. 

They needed to hear some things. They needed a come to Jesus moment. Don’t get me wrong. I understand that kids will be kids. They groan and gripe. Smiling and skipping ahead on the trail one moment, then crying, head thrown back and moaning that they want to go home. Ok, that’s clearly the tween. 


But no. Just no. Enough gets to be enough. I support and hug and encourage. I am an attentive and understanding parent. I am doing a collaborative damn anxiety workbook with one of my children, and enjoying it! Rob is pounded on, pulled at, and slapped around by the teenager. Ziggy wants to connect and just doesn’t know how. Rob laughs and wrestles back. All for love. All to let them know that we will be here. 

Always. 


But no. No to the entitlement that creeps in. The huffs and feet dragging pouts. No. 


You are here. You are loved. You have this amazing world at your feet and we are here to cheer you on your journey. 


I sat them down for lunch. I said all the things. You have nothing to be angry at at the moment. Life will give you plenty to rage against. Don’t do it to the ones that show you love. Let us help. Let us light your fires to fight the wrongs. And be your calming comfort after the battle. 


So in between waterfalls and secret shady trails, I hugged my boy and saw him soften. I giggled with my girl and saw her relax. On the way home they looked up and saw what they missed on the way. They pointed out mountains and streams. They spoke kind words and laughed. 


Today was very long. I am very tired. But so are they. And they are just a day away from being grown and gone. So for now they are all asleep. Safely asleep in our family’s calming comfort. 

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