Posted by Serenity in trying to matter, You Say Things Now | 10 Comments
things – about which – I’m glad I was wrong
I thought having three boys would be like buying the same color every time you purchase a shirt. I’m glad I was wrong about that.
I thought there might only be one good thought inside of me – one creative thing that would be the one positive thing I ever contributed to life. I’m pretty sure I was wrong about that, and I’m glad.
I thought having kids would be like babysitting your favorite kids all day and every night – but at least they’d be your favorite. I thought when my love spread out from one kid to two, that it would get thinner. But it didn’t.
I thought I would never want to go anywhere. I thought if I didn’t know exactly who I wanted to be at some point in high school, then I probably wasn’t meant to be anything special at all. I didn’t know you grow and change forever and get new dreams every day.
I thought at some point it would get old to remind myself that I MARRIED MICHAEL BOHON, but it so hasn’t.
I thought I would never recover from today’s fiasco with Parents as Teachers and a very obstinate Jake. I thought it was a wake-up call to my terrible parenting skills. I thought my friends and my family would nod in sympathy and COMPLETELY AGREE. I’m glad I was wrong about that.
For that matter, in all kinds of yucky seasons of life, extremely traumatic moments, intense illness, deep grief – I was pretty sure it would never really get better. Even though I probably would survive, I would never feel totally free and happy ever again, not in the same way.
I’m so glad I was wrong about that.
And now, as you can see from the list of categories for this post, it’s your turn.
Great thoughts, Serenity! There are so many things in my life I’m so happy to say I was wrong about. (Although I do still appreciate the opportunity for a good “I told you so” when it comes up!) I think one of the most wonderful things I’ve been wrong about is I thought it was my job to get my girls to love God. Turns out that was His job all along, and He was much better at it than me!
That’s a good one, Tracy! I can’t wait to be wrong about any and all of the things I’m afraid I have failed with my poor children.
I remember thinking that I HAD to get all of life’s important things done before I turned 50. Things like being in great shape, financially stable, I should be married, having made an important contribution to life, and so on. I thought that life was all downhill after that magic age… I am so glad I was WRONG about that! I haven’t accomplished any of those things yet, but feel like I am on the most exciting chapter in my life and that life might just be beginning for me! Life’s story isn’t about which chapter is the best – it’s more about embracing every little detail all along the way! After all my story was written by the best Author of all time – and He is the only one who can’t be WRONG!
Thanks for your ever challenging words Serenity!
When my dreams get stalled (thanks to Jan for the reminder about this season) I often say to myself, “BUT, Serenity married Michael Bohon!!!!”
Mom – you crack me up. And, Jan, that is so refreshing! I’m gad you were wrong about that one too, and I love that perspective so much.
I was literally just last night showing my husband both your’s and Michael’s pictures from my senior year book. Felicity was a freshman, so I think you were in 8th grade. It was 1990 either way.
Before I had kids, I thought that my “someday” kids would grow up EXACTLY like I had. On a farm, with a work-on-the-farm Mom, and that they would have all the same experiences I did. Our lives aren’t very close to that at this point, and I’m not quite sure I’m glad I was wrong about what I thought…But, I do realize that the experiences they are having are unique to them and are shaping who they are.
I’m glad I didn’t know it all. I’m glad I didn’t have the corner on the market in ANYTHING. I’m glad God didn’t give up on me in my arrogance.
Carol, I’m so glad you played even though you’re not quite sure yet if you’re glad about being wrong on that one. I know how you feel.
And, Felic, a hearty amen. Once I realized I didn’t have all the answers, I got so many more friends – something I’d much rather have.
I love this Seren! I’m wrong about most things, that turn out so much better than I thought they would, in the end.
Jan–I also love this “Life’s story isn’t about which chapter is the best – it’s more about embracing every little detail all along the way” what a cool phrase.
Kathy-you crack me up!
luv
tiff
Very nice. Excellent thoughts.