There's No Such Thing

There's no such thing as a perfect life.

There's no such thing as a perfect child.

There's no such thing as a perfect parent.

There are perfect moments in life, but the rest of life's experiences, today, I believe, are to keep you in check. Make you humble. Make you appreciate the rest.

One morning last week I woke up feeling really grateful for our house. Having moved 3 times in two years would easily make one have that feeling. But it was deeper than that. And because you never know what life can throw at you. Living in a state where not a few, but many people I know have lost their homes due to losing jobs and a failing economy, home is not necessarily written in stone. It is something to be honored. And cherished. A haven. For now.

I'm lucky. People often tell me how wonderful my children are. And I whole-heartedly agree with them. But it's scary being on a pedestal. Even risky. Because eventually, you fall off. Or are pushed off. And there's that fork in the road. And mistakes are made. It's hard for them. Hard for me. Heartbreaking at times.

Part of parenthood. Most of it is wonderful. Some of it is so hard it will take your breath away. It makes you toss and turn at night. It makes me shed tears in moments alone. It takes me back to the mistakes I've made as a child and beyond. (I know, you thought I was perfect!) Oh my, there were many. And yet, I was still loved, even though I know I made that difficult to do. Or maybe it wasn't that they didn't love me, they just didn't love the decisions I had made. But I didn't feel that at the time. And it was lonely. I want so much for my children to not feel lonely. And yet they will, probably, because I can't make their lives perfect all the time. I have to let them find their way.

But what is perfect is love. It does prevail. It is pure and true. It does not change with the weather but instead, withstands weathering. It gets stronger. And deeper. And hopefully, in the long run, cuts through the red tape of life and shines brighter than the dark clouds that try to cover it up.

And that is what I do have...a perfect love for my family. We do not have a perfect life and I know hourly that I am not perfect. And on this gray day I will feel warmth from that perfect love. It will carry me through. And it is a gift from which I draw strength.

And while these challenges never feel promising, the eternal promise is love. And forgiveness. And the opportunity to share it with my family. And that, my friends, is perfect.