Dedicated to the ones I love

As we get older, we tend to take stock of our lives in quiet moments of introspection. In our normal hustle and bustle, we find those moments hard to come by but every now and then a peaceful moment presents itself and thoughts wander to what we have accomplished in our lives and what is left to do. I think we all rush into adulthood fresh from high school or college with all intentions of making our mark on society or making the world a better place. Real life sometimes gets in the way of that noble purpose, yet it's the small things we do in real life with real people that is our most important legacy.
Taking stock of one's life accomplishments is at best a daunting task. To some it's the size of their bank account or their house or memberships in exclusive clubs. For me it's less complicated. My proudest accomplishment revolves around my three children. Though each has their own distinctive personality and all have had miscues and detours along the way, I sit and watch my "kids" at family gatherings and my heart swells with love and pride to see these three grown people with families and stable relationships and know that in some way I contributed to their loving, responsible nature.
Children don't come with an owner's manual and it wouldn't do any of us parents any good to try to write one since each child is different from the next. Sure there are the basics of keeping them clothed and fed, cool in the summer and warm in the winter and protecting them from themselves at times. From there it's all improvisation and a good deal of just crossing your fingers and hoping that they'll be OK by the time they grow up. Kids can be loving one minute and totally infuriating the next and there isn't a parent among us who hasn't silently, or not so silently, prayed for the day they grow up and leave home. And then they do.
People talk about the rewards of parenting but it's hard to find those rewards in the day to day rearing of children. Sure we celebrate the good grades, the winning game, the graduations and all the other joyous milestones of childhood. But parents are pretty much tired, harassed, misunderstood and unappreciated creatures until with the grace of God and a lot of luck, their offspring reach maturity. Then we finally become what we set out to be when we first had our children....a fountain of knowledge and guidance, a tutorial in loving and giving and an understanding shoulder to lean on as our children begin raising their own children. There's an old saying that goes like this..."If I had known grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!!". Can I get an amen from all the grandparents.
I have had the awesome privilege of being there when all five of my precious grandchildren were born. Holding that warm new life in my arms minutes after birth is a feeling beyond description. Watching the tears of love and joy on the faces of my children and their spouses as they cradle their small miracle is one of those rewards all parents dream of. Knowing that as they begin their journey into parenting they face all the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joys and sadness we went through, I can only hope that they too will someday sit back and smile, their hearts full, and say "Yes, this is my greatest accomplishment."
Dedicated to Shelley, JT and Laurie with all my love