My Wish...

My Wish

I would hope and pray that every parent could relate to this song.  Sadly we all know that some parents don't have the same goals, hopes and dreams for their children.  But most of us, and I know all of you can relate to the lyrics of this song.  It's not a new song, it has been around for a while.  But sometimes you can hear a song, know a song, sing along to a song and never really LISTEN to a song.  This song hit me today and after really listening and even looking up the lyrics, I'm not ashamed to say that I did choke back a few tears.
Being a parent is never easy.  I told some of my friends this week that I wish there was a manual that said, "if your kid does this, you do this" or better yet, a button you could just push and *poof* it would fix everything.  But there isn't.  And parenting is one part getting it right and two parts getting it wrong sometimes. But it is definitely three parts picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and trying again.  And hopefully you all come through on the other end unscathed.
Sometimes being a parent really sucks.  There is nothing worse than having to enforce a consequence, having to take away something that your child loves and enjoys, something that makes them smile and makes you proud of them.  But being a parent is a huge responsibility.  There is no greater task in the world than raising a child who is responsible yet relaxed, ambitious yet kind, motivated but not pressured, generous but not naive, caring yet cautious and respectful yet willing to stand up for what is right.  And sometimes that means being the bad guy.  Being the one who has to say no.   Being the one that has to say, you can't have that or do that.  And that is what sucks.  Because truly, we all have the same wish for our kids.
Thank you Rascal Flatts for "My Wish".  The following is my wish for my girls.

"My Wish"

  I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you want to go,

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,

All the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,

And you help somebody every chance you get,

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish

I hope you know somebody loves you

May all your dreams stay big