I open the door, in five

22 June 2012

playdate

It's always a risk.

Dropping him off at school, waving to teachers I only know and trust because the school seems to know and trust them. Letting her visit family, a whole week apart from me, without a mother to keep eye out. Just sending her out the front door with a ball and a wave.

I've heard of this happening, mothers who are overwhelmed by fear and anxiety for their children. They keep the door locked and the blinds closed, not willing to take the chance. Because who knows? Who knows what might happen, who might prey, how they might disapear or get hurt or...?

It's enough to make any parent, no matter how sane or prepared, go crazy.

This week the papers are filled with these stories, of coaches and counselors and teachers, lying and hurting and threatening. My stomach hurts and I look at them, imagining their cries without realizing it. Why even leave the house, I think? I want to keep them all safely tucked in nook and nest, away from the world, away from harm, away from pain.

It's futile, really. Who can live life that way? I protect them now but there will be heartbreak later, at 17 in the driveway, at 30 by the kitchen sink, at 45 in an empty house.

They long to stretch their growing legs and taste the summer breeze. So I risk it. I open the door and let them go. My eyes watch as they make their way into the wide open, praying the world will stay away just a little longer.

Five Minute Friday

Linking up with Five Minute Fridays. You should, too.

13 comments:

  1. Opening the door to let them go is always a challenge. Blessed are your children for having a strong mother who is willing to take the risk. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words. :) You're right: it IS always a challenge!

      Delete
  2. You wrote my life today, I am as you a "careful" mom who slowly graduates from experience to experience. This summer I organized art and baseball camp for two weeks and walked off a cliff trusting God. It is our first time doing this with groups we are not too familiar with but did our research and "checked" up on them from time to time. Two weeks are up today and I am still breathing. The world is wicked this is our lot, gratefully we fall into HIS loving arms and whisper our fears in HIS ears. He listens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! Hope your kiddos had a great time at baseball camp. My 9 year old is begging for a camp experience and I'm still dragging my feet a bit... Lord, give me strength!

      Delete
  3. Visiting from Lisa Jo's - love your post. Yes, opening that door is one of the hardest jobs moms must do:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting! Thankful for the commiseration. :)

      Delete
  4. Oh the ache and beauty of this post. I am softer and affected by reading. Thank you for sharing this stunning insight and truth into the kind of risk that equates a parent to trusting.
    I am not a parent yet, though you have allowed me into a very real world through your descriptions. I am somehow able to relate, though it really shouldn't be so. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and your sweet words of affirmation. xo

      Delete
  5. It's like you're inside my head. That's exactly how I feel about my kids all the time. I love the reminder that at 4 or 18 or 45 life is always still a risk.

    Beautiful writing - thank you for sharing!
    ~Lisa-Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I suppose it's only fair since you are so often inside *my* head. Thank you for a great opportunity this week to let the risk out. Grateful for your voice.

      Delete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is an incredible to risk to open the door and let our children go to walk along the path to becoming the men and women the Lord want them to be.
    It is exciting for them, scary for us. But what kind of moms would we be if we didn't let go?
    I appreciated reading this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading and for sharing your heart here, as well. Grateful to not be alone in this.

      Delete

 
FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATE BY DESIGNER BLOGS