Parenting is easy. Uncomplicated and straighforward. Or so it seems in light of recent backlash exhibited to Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, as per her decision to request more help. Yes, to all of us who truly KNOW: parenting is quite easy, doable. It's simple. We can handle 'er.
Except when we can't.
By which I mean, those times when parenting is difficult and complicated and stressful. And very, very hard.
But really, folks: parenting, like life, is basically pretty easy. It is easy to love our kids unconditionally. Easy to make the choice to put their needs before our own. Easy to stand by them, come hail or high water. Easy to support them and encourage them and listen to them. Easy to pay for all their STUFF. And incredibly easy to sacrifice our own dreams and ambitions on the altar of family service.
Marriage too, a pretty easy gig to keep going. Along with work and commitments and extra-curricular events and even things like church or faith-based priorities. All easy because we love the people connected to them. Love the ways in which they deepen our understandings about both ourselves and the milieus in which we breathe and move.
And life- it, too, is an easy ride. Really, though. We have everything. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Sometimes, when I think of all I have, I feel ashamed that any negativity might creep in. I have people who love me, a roof over my head. I have Faith. I have a loving, loyal Husband and four healthy, beautiful, thriving children. I have beautiful, beautiful family and friends, too numerous to name. I have a JOB. An incredible job. I have clothes and shoes and boots for the winter. I have books to read and pillows to hold my head at the end of the day. I have wheels to get me where I need to go. I have so much. And really, I have everything I ever will need. And ever should want.
And life is easy. Really, really easy.
Except when it isn't.
Sometimes, friends: it isn't easy.
Sometimes we forget, we fail to remember: that even those of us who appear all pulled together and perfect (there is no such human thing) and flawless and complete to the outside viewing world: sometimes we all forget, that as individuals, we still have "moments." Moments when life isn't easy. Moments when parenting isn't easy. Moments when marriage isn't easy. Moments when friendship isn't easy. Moments when work isn't easy. Moments when keeping it together isn't easy.
Moments when keeping it together is actually very, very hard.
Even for Sophie. Even for her.
And when we bring the focus back to us, and we think that all the stuff we have, successes we've garnered and the people we have gathered around ourselves are seemingly enough to fill our hearts, we forget. We are still fragile, broken creatures that will never find life a perfectly simple ride. At least, not this side of Eternity. Life is beautifully complicated, at best. Chaotic and scary at worst. Life and parenting and all that stuff we live for: they are all seemingly un-problematic.
Most of the time.
Except on those days they are not.
On those days, I hope we can find it in ourselves to love anyway, dig in our heels anyway, and stay the course anyway, holding on for dear life in spite of it all, making the decisions we know in our hearts are the right ones to make.
Doing so anyway, in spite of the costs.
So that life, while still complicated, can somehow be meaningful, beautiful, filled with purpose and conviction. Intentional.
Even if it might not ever be classified as easy, or simple, ever again.
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