The greatest role of a parent is to give their child the foundation to go out into the world and handle whatever comes at them.  As the years move into fast forward, I am reminded of these lessons again and again.   This past week I got to watch this in action with my sister. 

She had been working towards a goal for many, many months.  She prepared, she prepared, and then she prepared some more.  She went into the final stretches towards the goal with everything that she had.   She had a large cheerleading section behind her…”there is no way you can miss on meeting this goal”…”you are obviously going to make it”…”you can’t lose”.  These were the shouts of encouragement that we smothered her with.  She was the one who kept us all grounded with “its not a done-deal”…”you never know until the end”…”nothing is guaranteed”.

In the end, she didn’t reach her goal.  She came so close, but we never attack a goal with the idea of being the runner-up, do we?  We were so disappointed for her.  Well, guess what she said?…

“My mother always taught me that things happen for a reason. I learned so much on the way, I gained so much, I’ll be ready for the next time. This is actually a good thing, Barb, cuz now I can plan my trip to visit you for your birthday!”

Really?  She is able to take the disappointment with grace, and then turn this around to make ME feel better.  We have been plotting a weekend when she could fly out to join me for a big 50th Birthday party celebration, but had put the decisions on hold pending her goal.  Within seconds, she was looking past her disappointment and looking forward to what is next.  My hat’s off to you, Mary.  You are my hero.  When I grow up, I want to be like you!

Mom and Dad, you did your job well.

This is the time of year that you hear all about making predictions for the new year, setting new goals, making resolutions for an improved life.   For days we are surrounded by these thoughts, ideas, words, suggestions.

I am here to say that I have considered all of that.  My response is “I Don’t Know…”.

I don’t know what the new year will bring.

I don’t know what town I will end up living in.

I don’t know if I will find a relationship that fulfills me.

I don’t know what career path my son will go down.

I don’t know where my daughter will live after college graduation.

I don’t know what amazing new people I will meet.

I don’t know what my next blog topic will be.

I don’t know what heart ache will be visited upon me.

I don’t know if I will be consistent with my exercise routine.

I don’t know if I will be able to take any vacations this year.

I don’t know…

Now, here is the good news.  I am at peace with that! I am at a place in life where I don’t feel that I have to have so much control.   I don’t NEED to have the year planned out.  I don’t NEED to know what is around the corner.   I am finally okay with accepting lifes surprises.   I am all about being prepared, always learning and growing, but this year…go ahead…throw me the curve balls, send me the out-of-the-blue surprises, intrigue me, raise my eyebrows, bring it on!!