We are walking out parallel stories, you and Maile, and me and my husband. Married in 99’, and an almost-20-year old on the horizon, plus 3 additional teens...I love what you said about it being like “trying to hug the whole ocean”. Yes, indeed. We love them so hard knowing that at every turn, the stakes are so much high now, the risks frightening in their permanency...I love this season so much, and lo, it is like nothing I ever imagined--both in wildness and wonder.
Cheers to you, friends. You’re not alone in this place.
With one coming up on 16 and another 14, I see this stage in it's shocking clarity and confusion and yes, I feel unprepared and driven to pray. Thanks for this Shawn.
Jun 22, 2023·edited Jun 22, 2023Liked by Shawn Smucker
'Like trying to hug the whole ocean.' I could find that a description for so many things that feel immense and yet parenting is genuinely one of the most important things to do prayerfully... Loved this read! I'm going to share it with some parents I know. Thank you for writing your truth.
I felt all these words. Our 29-year-old son lives across the world and our 24-year-old just graduated college and moved 2 hours away to start his career. Parenting adult children is HARD - but I wouldn't trade it. My heart just lives in three different places now.
Beautiful. As always. This is my favorite line: "I am forever praying against unintended consequences, because the universe is not just."
Thanks, Dorothy!
We are walking out parallel stories, you and Maile, and me and my husband. Married in 99’, and an almost-20-year old on the horizon, plus 3 additional teens...I love what you said about it being like “trying to hug the whole ocean”. Yes, indeed. We love them so hard knowing that at every turn, the stakes are so much high now, the risks frightening in their permanency...I love this season so much, and lo, it is like nothing I ever imagined--both in wildness and wonder.
Cheers to you, friends. You’re not alone in this place.
Bless you, Kris. I hope we all find the beauty in this season and cling to it!
With one coming up on 16 and another 14, I see this stage in it's shocking clarity and confusion and yes, I feel unprepared and driven to pray. Thanks for this Shawn.
'Like trying to hug the whole ocean.' I could find that a description for so many things that feel immense and yet parenting is genuinely one of the most important things to do prayerfully... Loved this read! I'm going to share it with some parents I know. Thank you for writing your truth.
I felt all these words. Our 29-year-old son lives across the world and our 24-year-old just graduated college and moved 2 hours away to start his career. Parenting adult children is HARD - but I wouldn't trade it. My heart just lives in three different places now.
🙏
You know what I'm talking about, Michelle.
I do. 💔❤️ Always thinking of you all and praying for you, too.
That hugging the ocean line--ugh. It is like that.