When I Grow Up… (Gabrielle)
February 13, 2009 by sharppointythings
Karen Knight came over today. She and Adiel (oh, did I mention I was in Erie? Adiel had the baby she was pregnant with in September. A baby girl. Zoe Eleanor was 7 lbs 5 oz and 19 1/2 in. I got here Monday and will be here til the 23rd.) and I drank tea and talked about life, recent events and decorating. We talked about everything and it was so encouraging to me. It was a glimpse of my future and marching orders for my now.
See, Karen is the mother of a friend of mine I’ve known since I was 8. She watched Adiel and I grow up and was a great blessing to my mother as she mothered us. Actually, they’re very similar people. Karen’s seen us when we were little girls, she’s been to my sisters’ weddings and she watched through all the awkward life in between. I lost touch with the Knights when I moved and only caught snippets of what was going on through people and Facebook. Karen heard I was in town and wanted to come see me and the baby and catch up on life.
As we sat and talked I watched her and realized she’s part of who I want to be when I grow up. We were talking as equals, but she was still sprinkling the conversation with the wisdom she’s gained through her life and experiences. She remembers when we were this big and now she’s sitting in Adiel’s living room admiring her baby. And I thought, I want to do that someday.
Often I feel like I am surrounded by young people who are growing up way too fast. I’m still trying to get used to seeing the girl I remember as a toddler being tall and helpful. But as I watched Karen today I realized that one day that could be me sitting in a living room admiring the new baby of a girl I watched grow up. It gave me a glimpse into a possible future and I realized that future is beautiful.
Which means that I have some work to do now. If I want that future, and I do I really do, then I need to know the children around me. If I want to have a relationship with them then I need to nurture a relationship with them now. I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I think it’s worth it.