My daughter learned how to ride a bike this morning. She’s seven. It’s been a long time coming and the freedom it will bring us all this summer is a Mother’s Day gift that I’m thrilled to receive! What a perfect metaphor for parenting. As our kids find freedom, we are faced with new phases in our parenting journey. This one will mean being more watchful of my newly independent daughter who now has the wherewithall to follow her big brother.
I’m so proud of her and so thankful – it was her big brother who gave her the confidence. I’m a lucky mom.
As a Mother’s Day gift to those of you walking this long journey (or contemplating it) I wanted to share this little story that a friend gave to me long ago. It’s a lovely way to think of our kids, and a perfect reminder that we bless our families simply by being Mom.
A child asked God, “God, they tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?”
“Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.”
The child asked, “But in heaven, I don’t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.”
God said, “Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel’s love and be very happy.”
The child asked, “And how am I going to understand when people talk to me if I don’t know the language?”
God said, “Your angel will tell you beautiful and sweet words, and patiently will teach you how to speak.”
“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?”
God said, “Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.”
“Who will protect me?”
God said, “Your angel will defend you no matter what.”
“But I will be sad because I will not see you anymore.”
God said, “Your angel will talk to you about me and will teach you how to come back to me. And I will always be in your heart.”
Then, voices from Earth could be heard and the child asked, “God, if I have to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.”
“You will call her “Mom.”
mewruns 