I'm still reading in the "war" chapters of the Book of Mormon, where the Lamanites keep trying to destroy the Nephites. The Nephites, under the command of Captain Moroni, are able to continue to fend off these attacks by constantly changing their battle plans and fortifying their cities. Just when the Lamanites think they have it all figured out, the Nephites, once again, are one step ahead. They make their weak places strong (see Alma 49:14). They change their weaponry and find new and better ways to build up their defenses.
Sometimes, I feel like that's the proverbial story of my life. Constantly trying to stay one step ahead of everything that my teenager throws at me. I know that it shouldn't feel that way. I shouldn't feel like I'm at war against my own kid, but sometimes I do. I give her a curfew, and she breaks it. I explain step by step why I expect certain things, and she feigns ignorance when those expectations aren't met. It's like I constantly have to keep reworking my strategy and rebuilding my defenses. And I get tired. So very tired.
And then I really take a good look at her. She's beautiful. She's friendly. She's extremely kind and considerate (when she's not acting like a teenager). She's confident and intelligent and spirited. She loves to do all the things that young girls do - dance and sing and drive and date. And she's so good at all of it. She really is. Sometimes I wake up in the morning, and the dishes are done and the floor is swept, and I just feel so full of gratitude for the things that she does for me. And I know that I don't express that gratitude enough. She takes care of the younger kids and laughs at her autistic brother's jokes - even when they don't make a shred of sense. She gives up her place in the face-painting line so that someone who needs it more than she does can get a turn. She paints her little sisters' toenails and straightens their hair. I don't know what I'd do without her.
Being the mother of a teenager is fantastic. Have I said that before? Well, it really, really is.
It is even better being a grandpa of a teenager. Though sometimes it is harder being the parent of 20-somethings as well. But it is also wonderful. All family relationships are hard.......and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteVery well done, Heather.