Unconditional love
A year ago, we moved to Maryland. With the exception of going to college, I had never lived far from South Jersey, the place I had always called home. And even when I went to college, I came back home more frequently than most college students. Pete picked up and went to Vermont and Colorado in his former life as a wandering hippie. The relocation concept was not so alien to him. So when hubby was transferred, I felt ready to take on an adventure, to start over, have a clean slate, make our life happen in new surroundings. I could make friends, find my way, feel comfortable. I was so certain.
And I was so wrong.
Starting over is the hardest challenge we ever undertook. And I know that there are many folks out there who are transferred every couple of years, and they can just pick up and go. I have learned that it isn't the way that I'm built.
But then I think about our parents. How painful it must have been for them to watch us go. They supported us, they came down to our new house, made the three hour drive, unpacked boxes, and helped us. And then they put on a smile, wished us luck and pledged their love to us...and left.
I hope that I can be this kind of strong for our children. I want them to have their roots and their wings, and I want to genuinely be happy for them when they spread their wings and fly. And I will also be thrilled if they desire roots that are close to mine. I never realized before this move how much our parents truly mean to our family. The extent to which their influence and love is embedded in our home is staggering. And I honestly cannot wait to have them near us again. Yes, the babysitting perks will be wonderful. But just knowing that their comforting presence is within arms reach will make each day easier. And knowing that our roots are waiting for us back home provides me with a sense of peace. I'm sure that somewhere inside each of them, our parents would like to wring our necks for doing this...for picking up and leaving just to turn around and come back. But they'll never say so. They'll make the drive to our new digs, unpack more boxes, smile and again pledge their love to us. And they'll leave, but the drive back home will be much shorter.
That is what the unconditional love of parenting is all about.
And I was so wrong.
Starting over is the hardest challenge we ever undertook. And I know that there are many folks out there who are transferred every couple of years, and they can just pick up and go. I have learned that it isn't the way that I'm built.
But then I think about our parents. How painful it must have been for them to watch us go. They supported us, they came down to our new house, made the three hour drive, unpacked boxes, and helped us. And then they put on a smile, wished us luck and pledged their love to us...and left.
I hope that I can be this kind of strong for our children. I want them to have their roots and their wings, and I want to genuinely be happy for them when they spread their wings and fly. And I will also be thrilled if they desire roots that are close to mine. I never realized before this move how much our parents truly mean to our family. The extent to which their influence and love is embedded in our home is staggering. And I honestly cannot wait to have them near us again. Yes, the babysitting perks will be wonderful. But just knowing that their comforting presence is within arms reach will make each day easier. And knowing that our roots are waiting for us back home provides me with a sense of peace. I'm sure that somewhere inside each of them, our parents would like to wring our necks for doing this...for picking up and leaving just to turn around and come back. But they'll never say so. They'll make the drive to our new digs, unpack more boxes, smile and again pledge their love to us. And they'll leave, but the drive back home will be much shorter.
That is what the unconditional love of parenting is all about.
Labels: parenting, relocating
posted by Kate @ 10:41 AM
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