When our girls were little, we read to them a lot. Upstairs, those books are still in the pink bookcase that used to set in their old bedrooms at the many houses we called home.
Bedtime, after baths we'd settle down to a good book or two. Most of the time they were Golden Books. Stories with beautiful drawings of children and the struggles that children face. Each one taught a lesson or left the impression that Mom and Dad can fix whatever is wrong. They would fall asleep to sweet dreams.
The girls are grown now with families of their own. They are the ones putting band-aids on knees and kissing boo boos. I wish sometimes we could go backwards in time. I wasn't thinking then how fast they would grow up and I didn't know the struggles they would face. The world was a simpler place then, we drove around without even wearing our seat belts most of the time. With Grandchildren you stand back and just hope and pray they will grow up and make the right decisions, but your child raising days are over. Mom used to say, "It's their turn." Good advice and I've tried to practice it. All we can do is hope they learn from their mistakes and find their path in life. It's the prayer that I say most often these days.
Amen sister, my sentiments exactly!
ReplyDelete(Don't you love the beautiful art work, those old books had!)
I just can't give them away, too many memories! I loved the art work, you can feel the love coming out of the pages...
DeleteAs I watch my daughter raising her children I keep thinking how much more complicated everything is today compared to raising my own. I would not want to trade places.
ReplyDeleteOh, me either. They have so much more to worry about.
DeleteGood advice!! But sometimes its so hard to keep quiet. My tongue sometimes has teeth marks in it, from biting it so hard. I pray for my children daily, that they can meet the challenge of being a parent in these times.
ReplyDeleteSo true Muffy, we just want to help them if we can by not repeating any mistakes we made along the way. I was often in a rush, I wish I'd slowed down and enjoyed those precious years even more.
DeleteAren't books wonderful....the entertainment and values they hold. You sound like a great Mom....=)
ReplyDeleteThey do have such good memories and taught values that are key to a happy life. Old fashioned? I don't think we ever get too modern for loving families to be a priority. Thank you so much Maggie for the great compliment!
DeleteYou have certainly put into words the anxiety of every grandparent. I guess we just have to have faith that our children will come through, just as we did!
ReplyDeleteAnd they will, just going over bumpy roads right now and Nana would love for them to be "paved!"
Delete