It’s 6 am.
My husband and I just waved goodbye to our daughter and son-in-law and their 3 darling children. They set out for a 20-hour drive back to their home.
It’s been an amazing week filled with the excited and happy voices of 3 children running around our home.
It’s been a glorious week of listening to, consciously interacting with, and intentionally being present with our daughter, son-in-law, and their children.
So why did I feel some heaviness as they drove away?
Was it because I will miss those little voices, the pitter-patter of little feet, and the adoration and delight from their sweet faces?
Yes.
Was it because I’m wondering if these grandchildren are going to love going to “Nana and Papa’s” when they become teenagers. Will they still talk to me, a million miles a minute? Will they still delight in helping us decorate for Christmas? Will they still cuddle up and read stories? (probably not, but you get the idea!) What will they believe about themselves when they lose some of their innocence and have to learn how to navigate this world? Will they want to hear some of the stories about my life and the things I’ve learned that help me on my journey?
I realized my brain was getting mixed up with my heart. My brain was telling me the future for my grandchildren is scary. It was telling me that they might not adore me when they are teens. My heart was telling me to notice my brain’s messages and then determine if I will be able to handle whatever the future brings.
The answer is yes…I will be able to handle it.
I remember that before our first grandchild was born, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t think I could handle whatever it meant to be a Nana. And then that baby girl was born and everything changed. I learned I did know how to handle the new learning curve.
Is there something your brain tells you that you will not be able to handle down the road? What do you need to know about yourself?
What if you WILL be able to handle it?
It matters!
(idea from “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers, PhD)
