Monday night, as the lights dimmed in the gymnasium-turned-theater, I prayed again, for the millionth time,
“please let this be a positive experience for him.”
And I opened my eyes to the spotlight on my son.
When the night was over …
when we arrived home, all smiling from ear to ear …
when hydration and satiation were achieved …
when he was sleeping in his bed …
I thought of how this,
this stage experience for our son,
was a microcosm for mothering, for parenting.
When our son got a one line part in the play we were delighted for him, and we shared in his excitement.
- Each and every success our children have we feel in our parental, parallel universe.
His commitment was great! Attending every practice without a reminder from me.
- When our kids want something, really want it, they will do what needs to be done.
When our son was offered a larger part, we felt the mixed emotions of sharing in his excitement as well as fear for the expectations that would be upon him.
- From jobs, to college, to travel, to marriage … all great opportunities for our kids, and all come with greater expectations.
When I offered to help with lines, I was told it was not needed, that all was “fine” (the new, nasty four-letter ‘f’ word in our house).
- Sometimes our kids do not want, do not need our help … even when we ‘need’ to help.
That night, that first presentation night, my heart was pounding, as though I was the one waiting in the wings …
And that is the reality of parenting …
With each act of giving them control of their choices, their actions, their successes and failures …
Our mother-hearts are still tied by an invisible umbilical cord.
And, as they emerge from the wings onto the stage of life, our hearts walk with them …
silently whispering into their hearts
“you can do it”
while lifting them up to God in prayer, that His grace and protection might be on them.
And, like in the play our son was performing, The Outsiders, don’t we all have
Great Expectations that they would simply,
Stay Golden …
