Things I’m Thankful For – Day Three: My children
How do you even begin to describe the space your children occupy in your life? How do you describe the combined weight of the pride, the fear, the joy, the frustration, the satisfaction, the curiosity, and the myriad other emotions they make you feel? How do you explain both the joy and the panic you feel as you see parts of yourself reflected back in them? How do you summarize the years of holding your breath, hoping you don’t mess them up beyond repair, waiting to see if they turn out alright?
I’ve got great kids. They are each so different, so interesting. They each have such incredible potential. They push me (and my buttons), they challenge me, and they continually make me step up my game. And they love me, even when I have a hard time seeing why.
I won’t have them that much longer. I’m just starting to get to know them, it seems, and they’re already on their way out the door.
God gave my wife and I three amazing souls to care for and try to turn into responsible, functional adults. That’s a tall order, when I’m not sure I’m one myself, let alone know how to make that happen. We’re all learning as we go, and I can only hope I’m teaching them enough of the right things. I hope they’re smart enough to grab onto everything good we’ve tried to teach them while recognizing and forgiving my faults. I hope, if they’ve picked up any of my weaknesses, they’ll recognize it sooner than I did and have better success in overcoming them.
But whatever happens, I will always cherish these years that are flying by all too rapidly. I wouldn’t trade all of this for anything.