One of the hardest things about your kids getting older is watching them move in and out of relationships that you have little or no control over. You teach them the best you can, model a loving relationship in front of them, gently offer subtle advice, and pray...a lot.
After a run of short-term boyfriends in junior high, and one "bad boy" kind of boyfriend her freshman year, Hillary finally found the one that could be "just right." We quickly came to love the quiet, guitar-playing, brown-haired boy because the two of them just seemed to have so much fun together. They were easy to be around...drama-less and naively happy.
But teen years are kind of like dog-years...outside the normal span of grown-up time...and a lot can happen in a year and 4 months. People change, grow, see new horizons opening up in front of them. And it's not surprising that such young "love" couldn't stand up to it.
Not that that makes it any less painful.
So as some good things must do, it came to an end this week. And while I hate to see my child hurt, I am so proud of her. She is handling things with a grace and maturity we haven't seen before. Her relationship with God is strong and she seems to know where she's going, even though it means giving up a boy - a display of faith I've seen grown women unable to grasp.
It makes me less fearful as I begin to loosen the apron strings and get ready to send her off to college next year. She can make the right decisions - even when it's hard.
3 comments:
God is amazing in Hillary. He makes her an amazing person. I admire her faith and obedience to Him.
But she isn't going to college next year!? Is she? She just a senior next year, right? Cause me to go into a panic! MIMI
I saw Hillary last night (not knowing about the break up). She was all smiles and chin up! Proud of her grace in tough times. What a testimony she lives.
Sorry, mimi, I meant that during next year we will be getting ready for college. You have to start applying early, you know!
Fonda
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