When I was 18, I thought I knew everything. I had my son a year later and knew that I had matured by leaps and bounds. The years that followed, children, countless moves, heartache, laughter, loss, divorce, love, and simple daily living, has taught me that when you get it, really get it, you almost regress to the sponge like learning of a child.
I can't remember a time when I felt I was learning as much daily as I feel I am now. I am not saying that the lessons I learned as a child didn't fundamentally form my ability to know right from wrong, or how to be empathetic almost to a fault, but real growth came much later and continues.
I think back to when a high school relationship broke up, or I wasn't allowed to go to an event my friends attended, and thinking that I would never recover from the devastation. I have now faced having one of my children nearly die in front of me, not once, not twice, but three times. I have lost my precious mentor, my Granddad, and recently, the death of my beloved hero, my Father.
How I wish I could impart some of that wisdom on my children and grandchildren when I see them presented with challenges that will be forgotten in a decade, but in the moment feel crushing.
I guess the real lesson to be learned, is that when your elders, whether a mom, dad, favored aunt, uncle, grandparent, say "this too shall pass", understand that indeed it will.
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