take note, my future child

Dear Future Little Friend,

In case I forget to tell you ten years from now, I love you.  In case you forget, ten years from now, how “cool” you think I am, let me remind you, you love me.  Somewhere, ten years down the unseeable road from now, nothing I do will be “cool.”  I will fail to listen to the “cool” radio station, I will own not a single “cool” outfit, and I will most certainly not let you do the things all the other “cool” moms let their kids do.

I’ve no doubt it will even be uncool to use the word “cool.”

So let me tell you, before we launch into the wrestling match that is a mother trying to stuff her teenage daughter back into the daughter’s previously adoring toddler self, this thought that I had today.

We were driving to the zoo, and I had an energizing revelation (or was it simply a rogue jolt of caffeine racing through my veins?) that the teenage struggle against uncool parents has a lot less to do with how uncool the parents may or may not be and more to do with a parent’s inevitable forgetfulness of what it means to be a teenager.

To be a teenager is to have a blank page on which to write one’s life story.

The blank page is thrilling.  It is terrifying.

Until now, the page has always contained the black outline of a coloring book’s suggestion.  All that’s been required of you is to add color and stay mostly inside the lines.

But a teenager’s page is blank.  Without guides.  Only horizons.

An adult’s page has been filled in, crossed out, rewritten, erased, written big, written small, with some notes to self scribbled in the margins.  We become adults through writing down our life story.

Here’s what actually makes parents of teenagers uncool.  We try to nudge you aside from your blank page and write a few lines for you.  It’s an innocent enough intent–we’ve done the hard work on our own drafts and simply want to give you a head start on yours.  If I do this to you ten years from now, I’m sorry.

I’m actually quite content with the way my life is writing these days.  I love my city, my home, my week’s menu, my comforting daily rhythms.  I love my future dreams of earning a PhD, of living in France, of becoming a real writer.  I love my best friend of a husband and little friend of a daughter.  I love the resulting experiences of sucking the marrow out of life.  Because of this, I fear I might be tempted to give you a little “life writing” instruction.

Don’t let me scribble on your page.

I want you to have the freedom to write and erase and try again.  I want you to face the frustration of the blank page, write in one direction, reverse, and set out on a new course.  I want  you to write in the margins and see where it takes you.  I want you to live, live, live, fully, thoughtfully, prayerfully, intentionally.

So when we get to the juncture ten years from now when you’re rolling your eyes over my radio station selection, I pray I’ll have the grace and wisdom to stick to my course (it’s the radio station I want to have written into my life story after all), and later give way to appreciate your music selection as well.  It’s the best way I can think to say I love you.

Oh, and one more thing.  Today you told me “Mama’s shoes super cool.”  Just for the record.  Cause it may be the last time I hear that.

Love,
Mama

growing up

10 Comments

  1. I came across your blog through Freshly Pressed last week, and have been enjoying it ever since. Today’s post is so marvelous though, I had to comment. No need to dream of becoming a real writer: You already are.

    With sincere admiration,
    Amy Bilhorn Thomas

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  2. Nancy said:

    Oh Beth,
    Your insight and wisdom are wonderful. I know she will take all the love and lessons you are planting now and use them in her life story however she writes it. What a gift to truly appreciate life in all its glory and complexity. Thanks once again for sharing.

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  3. Brooke said:

    I wish I’d been so insightful as my kids were growing up. Thanks for a beautiful post.

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  4. Melissa said:

    Beth, this post only confirmed my thoughts that EB will think you’re the coolest Mom ever…. but you’re probably right in recording the cool shoes compliment! EB is one extremely lucky kid!

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  5. Leah said:

    Really nice post! I hope you keep this for your child to read in the future. I love having those realization parenting moments. It makes it all worthwhile.

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  6. midnitechef said:

    I’m holding back the tears after reading this post. Just beautiful!

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  7. hobbymom said:

    I love this post! I too have a young daughter, only 9 months, and I am trying to soak up every minute because I will cry my eyes out the day she tells me I am embarassing her or am not cool. She is a momma’s girl for sure and I love every minute, but I know it wont last forever.
    You are a wonderful writer and I enjoy your blog very much.
    hope you have a blessed day!

    June 27, 2011
    Reply
  8. Robin Dance said:

    Something tells me a) you’ll be one of the cool ones, and b) you won’t give a darn WHAT she thinks!!

    Sweetness times ten!

    June 27, 2011
    Reply

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