Their laughter lacked malice, surprise and spite, yet it wasn’t the blissful laughter of discovery or surprise.
It’s tone wasn’t dismissive either.
It’s difficult at times to know what’s behind a laugh.
Love?
Excitement?
Wisdom.
When my daughter was born, my parents on occasion, laughed the strangest laugh.
I didn’t get it entirely. There was a sense of just you wait.
and
You really have no fucking idea what you’re getting into bud.
I knew parenting would be challenging.
Between shitty diapers, the lack of sleep and the kids being entirely dependant on me and Laura for so much of everything, I believed that when we had a newborn, we were facing the worst of it.
Teens years are / were tough.
Nothing though compares to the heartbreak and joy of parenting a young adult.
It’s such an odd thing having an adult in the house who’s also our offspring.
Watching them struggle hurts.
Letting them struggle hurts even more.
And when they slay the next dragon they’ve been wrestling with, I experience not so much joy as relief.
I’m weary these days.
But never weary of them.
The best part of being a parent?
I can appreciate how much love, patience, understanding and support my parents have given me.
Nothing in the world expands your heart, mind and world like being a parent.
Being a ‘pet parent’?
It doesn’t fucking count.
It’s not the same.
I hope that you who are reading this either take that step, or if you have kids?
Encourage someone considering it to do the same.
Love the people who love you.
And when your kids hate you?
Love them even more.
(and if you want to feel all the feels, check out this song by the extraordinary Aloe Blacc)
Non prozac version: