the switch and a broken child

there are few things more excruciating to see than the heart-broken child.

yes, there are lots of stories about heart-broken parents, those who have lost a child, either figuratively or literally.  you know, the eternal brokenness of truly loving parents, who only want what is best for their child...  i'm not a parent, so i don't get that, but what i do get is being a kid.

and similarly, there are plenty of stories of children, who at some point have been let down by one or more parents. but to me they really seem inevitable because everyone is flawed, and it seems completely implossable that any parent could be without fault ever. so that is not what is on my heart...

what touches me tonight is the heart of a child that is broken with worry for a parent.  i was privy to a very interesting convo this week that talked about families and their dynamics.  now i can say, wholeheartedly, that i have been very blessed to be a part of a very strongly spiritually-based and healthy family.  i have parents with an awesome marriage, a Godly focus, siblings who absolutely bless me, and who are overall, incredibly wonderful, but i know not everyone has had this experience with the familial network that they were born into.  but regardless, a child's heart can be overcome, no matter what the status is of the relationship, with great concern for those who gave them life.

why?

because once you reach that age (the age in which you realize two very important things 1) that you truly do appreciate your mom and dad, and 2) that they are not going to be around forever) of realization it can destroy you.

today after discussing how my mom still texts me to make sure i'm alive after a big snow storm or heavy rain, my co-worker asked me how old my parents were.  i answered and then he nodded knowingly, saying that i must not have hit the switch yet.  the switch is, essentially, when you start worrying more about your parents than they do about you.  of course that doesn't mean that parents start to worry less (yeah right, if only!), just that our worry increases and overtakes theirs...

after all of that, what is on my heart tonight?  the switch.  a mighty beast, not to be fought, but simply be aware of.  we cannot control how long our dear parents will be with us, and worry should not determine how we act or think.  instead, it is something that should make us treasure each moment with those who gave us life... and hold them close to our hearts.

so, hug your 'rents peps - they've earned it, and you never know how long you have left to do it!