This is what Paige moved home to last week, but we finished and she has a bedroom again.
So much of my life, our lives, feels like it’s under construction right now. We are stretched. We are challenged.
Paige finished her second year of college, moved home for the summer, and begins her job search tomorrow.
Daniel learned to dance the Lindy Hop in ballroom. This is a seriously difficult dance.
Timothy is filming sketch comedy each day after school. I knew he would be drawn to this eventually.
Mark and Paige painted her room with me.
The boys have a big piano ensemble performance this week.
AP test weeks have arrived.
Richard left in a snowstorm to go camping with the Boy Scouts on Friday and came home happy.
Life is full. I am learning that many things I spend my time doing, thinking they will make the family happy, don’t do this at all. A few examples:
Clean house? Not important to them.
Clean clothing? Important to them.
Conversation at 11pm? Important to teens only.
Talking TO them? Not welcome.
Listening to them? Always important.
Milk and cereal always on hand? Important.
Telling them about what I am reading? Not important. A real turn-off.
Using what I am reading to be more empathetic? Important.
Seasonal decorations? Not important, except at Christmas time.
Freshly painted baseboards? Not important to them.
Much of what I do is just for me, after all. It’s ok to do what I love, but I need to be honest about who I am really serving. Wrapped up in things only I care about under the guise of serving my family is counterproductive. This makes me unapproachable and busy. This is not how I want to be.