Growing Pains...every kid has them. They start as the physical aches as their
bones lengthen. Then as they approach
high school and the teenage years, they seem to get worse. The pains go from physical to mostly
emotional. Maybe on a subconscious
level, they are beginning to realize that they are getting further away from
their childhood, and getting closer to the struggles of adulthood. Or maybe it’s the fact that their brains are
growing and learning at such a speed that they can’t wrap their minds around
what is happening to them. In either
case, there will be a lot of tears, a lot of fears, and a whole lot of drama.
Thinking back on life, the teenage years are either your
best memories or your worst flashbacks.
For most of us, I think there’s an equal portion of both. You need both in order to grow as a
person. You have the memories to think
back on, the trips, the school functions, concerts, musicals. These make you happy, and make you wish,
just for a moment, that you could go back in time and revisit those times. Then there are the horrible flashbacks. Having to endure gym class when you hate
playing kickball. The popular girls and
their cliques, the cheerleaders and the jocks.
Those are the ones that make you shiver ever so slightly, and make you
glad that you are an adult.
All I can say to these kids is enjoy life, love your
friends, and have faith in them. There
will be sadness and heartache, but life will continue on. There will be first loves and first
heartbreaks, but somehow, life will go on. I promise, there will be bigger and better
things. There will be college memories, and your first real relationship. There will be the first job and the first career position. There will be weddings and babies. But for the time being, don’t rush it. Enjoy your teenage years, before the reality
of life sneaks up behind you. And with
any luck, and several years, you’ll
be watching your children experience the very same growing pains.
To Mary--you astound us everyday with your kindness and beauty, both inside and out. We are amazed by your incredible talents and your unwavering trust. In two days, you will leave middle school and begin the road to high school. It will be a tough road, but we know if anyone can rock it, you can. We love you so much and are so incredibly proud of you, it's difficult to put into words. No matter what, stay true to yourself, and you will accomplish anything and everything you set out to do. We are so very blessed to have you as our child. We love you so much and we'll always be there for you, no matter how much the growing pains hurt.
