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*&$%* Thrown for a Loop and Glad

March 18th, 2009 at 04:53 pm

It's one of the things I hate when someone says "Kids grow up so fast". I reply as quickly as possible, "You forget!"

...the daily aggravations? pick up, hurry up, wash up

...the worries? where are they with their friends, what are they doing up there out of sight, when will they encounter drugs, sex, bad internet sites

...the sacrifices? forgeddabout trips abroad, dates with your spouse, chasing your own dream for awhile

WHOA.

Then I read this little essay in a book from the library fundraiser. Intriguing first few paragraphs, put me right in my place. Thank goodness.

The Gift
by Renee R. Vroman

It was a warm summer day when the gods placed it in her hands. She trembled with emotion as she saw how fragile it appeared. This was a very special gift the gods were entrusting to her. A gift that would one day belong to the world. until then, they instructed her, she was to be its guardian and protector. The woman said she understood and reverently took it home, determined to live up to the faith the gods had placed in her.

At first she barely let it out of her sight, protecting it from anything she perceived to be harmful to its well-being; watching with fear in her heart when it was exposed to the environment outside of the sheltered coccon she had fromed around it. But the woman began to realize that she could not shelter it forever. It needed to learn to survive the harsh elements in order to grow strong. So with gentle care she gave it more space to grow, enough to allow it to grow wild and untamed.

Sometimes she would lie in bed at night, feelings of inadequacy overwhelming her. She wondered if she was capable of handling the awesome responsibility placed on her. Then she would hear the quiet whispers of the gods reassuring her that they knew she was doing her best. And she would fall asleep feeling comforted.

The woman grew more at ease with her responsibility as the years passed. The gift had enriched her life in so many ways by its very presence that she could no longer remember what her life had been like before receiving it, nor imagine what life would be like without it. She had all but forgotten her agreement with the gods.

One day she became aware of how much the gift had changed. It no longer had a look of vulnerability about it. Now it seemed to glow with sternght and steadiness, almost as if it were developing a power within. Month after month she watched as it became stronger and more powerful, and the woman remembered her promise. She knew deep within her heart that her time with the gift was nearing an end.

The inevitable day arrived when the gods came to take the gift and present it to the world. The woman felt a deep sadness, for she would miss its constant presence in her life. With heartfelt gratitude, she thanked the gods for allowing her the privilege of watching over the precious gift for so many years. Straightening her sholders, she stood proud, knowing that it was, indeed, a very special gift. One that would add to the beauty and essence of the world around it. And the mother let her child go.


(reprinted without permission, but certainly allowed within the spirit of the editors, from A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Yes, I skipped a little along with my kids the next day ~ and will do so today and the next day and the next day ...

3 Responses to “*&$%* Thrown for a Loop and Glad”

  1. Sandi Says:
    1237400998

    Thank you so much for sharing this. Yes, it's easy to get wrapped up in every day life and get frustrated - you just have to step back and be thankful for those precious gifts you have been given.

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1237409628

    I'm one of those that think they do grow fast...mine are almost 12 and 9...they aren't babies anymore. I miss some of the things for the younger years. We just can't get those back. Thanks for the excerpt.

  3. yolanda Says:
    1237431966

    Kind of poignant for me right now since I'm near the end and have to give my gift back. But yes, I'm thankful for the opportunity of having enjoyed it for this long. Thank you for posting this!

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