Family and friends gathered at the church to attend the service and to witness the Baptism of this little child. Now 5 months old, Baby Claire was having her special day. The young parents were excited about the path before them, going with an open slate and strong opnions on how this little one will be raised. There’s something about that, that gets one thinking and so a story began.
Of course it was jumbled and all over the place – as it is with every story at the outset. There was a toss up between puzzle and tappestries – pieces that fit together nicely to make a picture already predetermined or was it strings of colours to be woven into something totally unknown. How would the years evolve? Would others piece the puzzle together or would this little child learn to weave?
Ever wonder how a teenager thinks? Then there’s the quick comeback, “You were a teenager once. Remember?” Not a chance! I’m guessing there’s quite a bit that has been forgotten because it makes life simplier, easier. And now that those years have long gone, who has the nerve to get inside someone’s head at that age? Not me!
A friend popped in to say ‘hello’ and we talked about his children. Now in university each of them seems to be well grounded and knows how she will weave the next few rows of her life. Each one has determined what she wants to do and has mapped out a plan for making it happen. Full course loads, good study habits, jobs on the side to enable plans to be put in place. Seemingly, in control.
And then there was an overheard conversation among a group of university students who are on completely different trajectories – no idea what they are doing or why. Some are failing miserably and are seemingly unconcerned. Others are considering dropping courses because even a three-course work load is way too heavy to handle. Is it lack of motivation? Lack of discipline? Is it laziness or total lack of time management skills? Or, are there deeper, more complex, underlying issues?
So many of our children and young adults are struggling. There are issues that are hard to identify and certainly even harder to fix. If only we could wave a magic wand and make it all better! But they again, we cannot fix everything that feels broken. Whatever the root of the problem, it is up to each person to take charge. Oh, how I hope they will learn to weave.
There also seems to be huge differences with expectations. At 18 and 19 years old, some kids seem to have their act together. They are chomping at the bit for their independence. They are proud and want to be self-sufficient.
Still others are not ready or not willing to take charge of their own lives and are quite happy to float and freeload while exhausting their supply of excuses. They fail to recognize they are only hurting themselves in the long run.
Then my thoughts drifted back to baby Claire. Nobody knows how a child will grow and what direction his or her life will take. The influences will be many but, ultimately, it will be up to the individual to choose his or her own path and make it happen.
I recall a quote I had written some years ago. It makes so much sense, no matter how old you are.
You should never forget that you are the weaver of your life.
