Every day, every year and every child is different! Each one is full of unique and exciting moments, as well as daunting challenges for us mortal mothers. We humans know that we are not perfect. And since parents are human too, no matter what those kids say, we’re obviously not perfect either. However, the beautiful thing about being human and being a human parent is that we don’t have to be perfect because we are still a work in progress. We still have hope. We still have the ability to offer hope to others as well. And that’s perfect enough in my book. Hopefully, it’s in yours too.
I still remember the first time I heard that phrase ‘a work in progress’. Many years ago, a couple of older parents sat at my kitchen table, trying to show my wife and I, who were new parents at the time, how to do something. They demoed like crazy. And when it finally got a little awkward, and even a little painful, the older dad looked at us and said, “Hey, what can I say? I’m still a work in progress. I give others hope. If you can do this being a father, you can too”.
Five children and many years later, I can still vividly remember that lesson at my kitchen table. And you know what? He was correct. My wife and I have messed up a few things along the way. Do not! Do so many things. Yes. We’ve blown up a lot of things in the way of parenting. But guess that? We’re still doing the parenting thing. We are still making it. And somehow we’re making this parenting thing work. And if we can do it, you can too. I guess we too are now givers of hope for the next generation.
Now, as my grandfather always said: “Go learn, lead and pave the way to a better world for all of us.” Remember, parents, we are still a work in progress. And that’s a really good thing. And once again, parents, thank you in advance for all that you do and for all that you will do…
