What, Me Worry!

Racking Your Brain

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "holy crap...what a ride"!

This came across my desk today, and also the thought that it should be shared.

Is there a magic cutoff period when your offspring become accountable for their own actions?

Is there a wonderful moment when parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, "It's their life," and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my daughter's head. I asked, "When do You stop worrying?" The nurse said, "When they get out of the accident stage." My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher Said, "Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them." My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, "They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry, In a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be adults." My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle. There was nothing I could do about it. My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments. My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted by my dad's warm smile and his occasional, "You look pale. Are you all right? Call me the minute you get home. Are you depressed about something?"

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry?

Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown?

Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, "Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried." I smiled a warm smile. The torch has been passed.

It is called FULL CIRCLE.

Peace

Day After His Birthday

The much touted day of December 25th has passed, and for some that is a good thing. I often wonder how many took the time to reflect on the origins of the day, or who tried to use the opportunity to do any good in this world we live.

I went to midnight mass last night, and it felt rewarding and uplifting. It was tinged with nostalgia, as I kept having memories of my childhood in St. Mary, and going to midnight masses.

In this country the Boxing Day hoopla is in full swing. The malls are packed with people buying "stuff" that they insist is "on sale". If anyone took the time to look at the prices of the item in October, they will notice that the "sale" price is not lower than it was in October. So why rush out to buy it? .... I refer to the attitude as a conditioned marketing reflex. I will not be in that crazy crowd today.

My phone has been ringing constantly. Receiving many calls from friends, family and extended family located in Jamaica. While we are wishing each other the best, they all say that they are living in fear. I have my own terms for it (living in a coffin or the culture of death), however, they all want to know when I will be arriving. They have more resilience than I can muster right now. One of my close friends, in Mandeville, has houses he wants to show me and telling me how wonderful the climate is in Manchecter. He will do anything to have me live in his adopted city and he is trying very hard, he is persuasive LOL.

To all who venture on this page, I hope you find peace.

"Comfort ye, my people; speak ye peace, thus saith our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning 'neath their sorrow's load. For the glory of the Lord now o'er earth is shed abroad; and all flesh shall see the token that His word is never broken."

Walk Good