Weeks ago my oldest, Madison, came home to tell me how the students in her art class were asked to create a sculpture representing someone they admired who was a storyteller. Madison told me she immediately thought of me. She told me she had thought about me writing stories on my blog, and how I was always the one to tell the kids stories about my life. Stories like how I ran the riding lawn mower onto my grandparents’ bird bath, or how I had a crush on a guy named Chuck in 2nd grade and would write on my notebook, “Chuck is love” and “Love is Chuck”.
She then proceeds to tell me she has chosen to represent me in her sculpture as a whale. “What,” I said to her, “I am not sure if I like that one.” She laughed as she waved her hands in the air in an attempt to clear up any misunderstanding that I might be the size of a whale. She proceeded to tell me that her class had watched a documentary recently about whales. She said that whales are good mothers and very protective of their young. They are very intelligent, communicate with the other whales in their pod, and even discipline their young if they get out of line. I was truly honored and touched.
She brought home her sculpture when it was done. It was a mommy whale and a baby whale. The mommy whale had one of her fins over and around the baby whale. It brought tears to my eyes.
Here was my teenage daughter thinking that her mom was an inspiration. At this time in her life, when she is trying to find her own way and her own uniqueness, she showed me that she is still watching and learning. Learning how to be a woman, a wife, a mother, a Christian, a friend, and a constructive human being. The fin over the baby whale showed me she still needs my protection and love during this time even though she might act differently.
The teenage years. What a dance. A dance between holding on and letting go. A dance between protection and trust. I am beginning to wonder if this will be the hardest challenge yet. Knowing when to let go and when to hold on, is and will be, a constant challenge. I will have to pray for wisdom and discernment along the way and read God’s word for direction. Also, to pray for my children and their relationship with Jesus. Pray for us as parents to lead and guide them in the ways of truth. I am excited about the road in some respects, but scared to death about that road in others. God willing, with love, prayer, and lots of stories thrown in here and there, we will make it through it all by God’s grace.
Great title! Wonderful analogy and learning point here.
She is a creative girl. Like mother, like daughter. I love you both.