LJ Idol Season 10 - Week 15: Patchwork Heart

[tonithegreat]

I turned my back to the dying fire and crab-walked the six feet or so to the edge of the ridge we were camping along. I was sore and every muscle was just tired enough not to want to stand all the way up and then get back down again. But I wanted to finish my beer with my legs dangling down into the unknown, looking out at the distant town lights

Comments

[encrefloue]

Getting teary-eyed over here... <3

[tonithegreat]

This is partially your fault for bringing the Sandrock last week!

[i_17bingo]

I never think of what was going through my parents' heads as we did stuff my last year in high school. I was too busy with my foot out the door, freaking out about my future. I like this take.

[tonithegreat]

I had an epiphany a couple of years after I moved out about where my mom must have been, but I'm afraid that even with that, I probably didn't make it too easy on her. Youth is supposed to be somewhat wild, right? I'm lucky that we're still good friends. And I'm bracing for where that transition will someday leave me.

[rayaso]

This was such a wonderful essay. The pressure on kids today is enormous. It looks like yours are set up well to leave home -- congratulations, that is no small achievement! You will also have some wonderful memories of them, which will help when they are gone.

[tonithegreat]

Only time will tell for my little ladies, but I am doing my best. We actually had some really good conversations after I wrote this, where they told me some of their visions for where we might all be in ten years. But I think I also upset them a little bit. It's hard to be nurturing and realistic. Thanks for your kind comment!

[bleodswean]

This is such a wonderful, wonderful rumination! I really enjoyed it and can resonate with so much of it. The thing that jumped out at me is how you love rock climbing now and it wasn't even on your radar at 17! That's been one of the greatest parts of growing older - finding new things to love and make my own. And teaching by example to the kids that learning never stops and enjoying life can be a constant. Definitely don't sweat the small stuff.

Great work here, momma.

[tonithegreat]

Aw, thank you so much! Another thing that high school mentor always used to say to me was, "Don't sweat the small stuff." It really is good advice for so many situations.

[favoritebean]

I've never been rock climbing, but I've gone on many a hike in the mountains. This evokes memories from then.

Falls are so scary, I hope Annie was okay after that.

Sounds like you do a great job offering guidance. I wish someone had told me about other options back when I was their age.

[tonithegreat]

Falls are scary! Annie's fall here was imaginary, but my buddy Encrefloue took a bad bouldering fall this week, just as we were talking about how to get into better headspace for lead falls, so falling was on my brain. I hope I really am walking the walk with giving my ladies wide options. It's hard, but I'm doing my best. Thanks for your kind comments!