Redeemed once more

Had a lovely phone conversation with my adult child who stated her plan to move back to Oregon - to be near me.  Redeemed again. 

Initially one's child is hard wired to to adore it's parent (s) - an act of survival to my cynical mind.  Thankfully, for the perpetuity of the human race, the vast majority of said parents can't resist the goo goos and sweet smiles and we lovingly raise these doting creatures who believe we are super heroes.  

Until they reach those miserable teen years, but because we've raised them so lovingly, they're assured we'll take their attitude (and they're right,) so the next five years are filled with disdain and rudeness, and poor behavior towards us.  All that time we congratulate ourselves this child is so well adjusted, she can project her anger toward us.  

Then one shining day, something shifts, and they love us once again.  All is forgotten and forgiven. It's delightful being brilliant again.   

Approximately ten years pass in this adored parental role when we are blindsided by a litany of our perceived parental faults, one more time, and deservedly, for what parent among us is perfect?  Not a one.  Certainly not me.  Yet we're caught totally unprepared and this accusation stabs to the very core of our basic inadequacy of being a good parent.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.

But guess what?  The kid has her own kid, along with an epiphany on unconditional love, and I am redeemed.  I have a blurry recollection of a similar epiphany and following appreciation for my own mother some 30 odd years ago.  Thank you Helene. 

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