Again, I find my inner jukebox playing:
Where do we go from here, now that all of the children have grown up?*It has nothing to do with playing games, this song running through my mind. It has to do with my wondering just what I should be doing with my life right now.
For decades, my predominant focus has been on my children, although admittedly, I've had other foci, as well. But no matter whether I was focused on work or my weight/health, or my marriage or my spirituality, the underlying driving force in my life was my love for my children and doing all I could to ensure their health, their happiness, their education, and their safety ... in the present and in the future.
They are 25 and 23 now. They have long since taken control of their own health, their own happiness, education and safety. It's time for me to figure out the rest of my mission on this planet!
And then, again, maybe it is simply to live a long, happy, prosperous, and beautiful life surrounded by people I love and who love me.
Maybe, that's all that's required of me.
Maybe.
* Games People Play by the Alan Parsons Project
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1 comment:
I just spent a week with one of my childhood girlfriends. She and her husband (who happens to be my cousin) have two children, one 25 and married and the other graduates from high school in June as well as turning 18. All week she kept saying, "I will always be a parent, but I am done parenting."
I found that interesting. while they have wonderful children and have been excellent parents, I think as a parent, you are never finished "parenting." However, I do understand what she means. She has been doing this "parenting" job for over 25 years and now is the time to focus on herself and her husband.
As a parent, you take on the responsibility of raising your children to be good people, productive, healthy and happy adults. That is your main job. That is what parenthood is all about. Sometimes it works out better than others, but all you can do is try and do your best.
Making the switch from "parenting" to being a "parent" to just being who you are is a new journey.
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