A Tragic Reality Check...

It has been a somewhat difficult week for me or so I thought.  That was until I talked to my sister this morning. 

Our childhood friend’s daughter passed away suddenly.  I don’t know all the details (they are irrelevant at this point).  I only know that this is not the way it is supposed to happen. 

As parents, we celebrate our children from the minute we hold them in our arms. They make us experience every emotion: happy, sad, laughter, embarrassment, amazement, frustration, pride, shock, and yes even anger at times. We try to teach them and instil a set of morals that we hope will help them succeed in their life. 

We do the best we can.

As a young adult I remember feeling like life was one big adventure. I couldn’t wait to try anything and everything.  Accidents happened but to other people, not me. “Throw caution to the wind”.   

As a 51 year old mother of two would I change anything I did in those early years?  Some things for sure…they were just plain stupid. Most things, however dangerous (real or imagined) they may have been, I would not. At 51 years old I sometimes miss that sense of adventure, spontaneity or the exhilaration I felt after accomplishing something totally out of my comfort zone. At 51 years old I am more cautious and more aware, perhaps too aware, of the consequences that could happen.

It is human nature to want to protect our children from harm, heartache and disappointment. It is not, however, realistic to think we can. While some people may like to imagine a world without any conflict, danger or differences, I think that would be pretty boring. 

Whether you agree or not, we all do the best we can.

A tragic reality check happened today; my dear friend lost her child. 

NW