My child who refused to participate in his preschool play when he was four, by standing on stage and holding a cloud made out of cardboard, was my only child who acted in a senior high school play by performing a significant role as Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
My child who was so shy he used to hide behind my legs at family events or in social situations, arms wrapped tightly around my knees, is now out in the community where he lives, decorating walls and entertaining with performance art.
My child who ran away from the dinner table and down the hallway screaming, “I hate my mother,” when she was two, now calls me on the phone nearly every day.
My child who was afraid to explore caves with his friends or ride a jet ski with me now fearlessly engages others, as he strives to shape his world.
How little I knew.
How much I’ve learned.
The distance ahead to which we can see is very short and near.
Life is full of surprises.
Has anything surprised you?
Christine M. Grote 
Are experiences as mothers were/are so very alike, Christine. Isn’t motherhood wonderful? They teach us SO MUCH.
You are right about that. I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to be a mother. Not everyone does.
So many things…everyday!
It’s good to hear from you, Paula. I hope everyone is adjusting to college life. It gets easier.
I speak solely of myself here. I was so shy up into adulthood that I literally used to bump into signs and telephone pole along the sidewalk. I would cross the street rather than approach an oncoming girl.
Then, on 09/09/1979, 33 years ago today, I accepted our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ into my heart. He changed me in ways I’m still discovering. No longer shy, my fellow workers couldn’t recognize me the following day. I did a lot of testifying those first few years and still never fail to explain what Jesus has done for me. Just the fact that I’m on this blog extolling His love for me and everyone else testifies to His Glory. 🙂
I’m glad you found your strength and courage, Bob. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for reminding me that what might be difficult one day with a child, can be magnificent the next. :+)
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
One of my favorite things about being a mother is watching how my children change and form as they grow older — absolutely fascinating. Great observations, Christine!
Thanks, Julia. I always like it when I am able to sit back and watch from the cheap seats and not be down in the trenches. 🙂
So much has surprised me! Like your experience with your child, I have been surprised by both my children. My eldest, who stuttered at age four, now confidently teaches college classes. The youngest, who was quite popular in high school, now prefers her own company. This was a great post, Christine.
It’s amazing how things shift, isn’t it. It gives me hope for change in all areas of life. We learn and we grow. Thanks, Kathy.
The biggest surprise for me was how our children actually become our friends. No one knows us like they do.
That was a surprise for me to, the way that they know us. It surrounds me.
I am often surprised. My now 25 yr old daughter has been surprising me since she was born. The surprise I stopped to write was an incident that happened this morning. I was driving home and had just turned into our little road. I was so busy admiring my neighbors pink angel trumpet plants that I almost did not see my friend standing 4 feet away waving madly at me. A comment on focus and perspective.
They do tell you to stop and smell the roses. I’m just glad you didn’t run over her.
Such wonderful observations. I think just about everything surprises me these days. 🙂
It’s nice to see the world through new eyes, as I suspect you do based on the photographs you capture. Always a joy to see.
When I was a child, I was clumsy and awkward, not at all into sports. While I’ve not really gone into sports as an adult… I did really take to rock climbing, which surprised my parents.
Aw, well, a lot of kids are clumsy and awkward. If one of my sons took to rock climbing, it would surprise me too, and not necessarily in a positive way.
They tell me never to let them know in advance when I’m doing that….
I can understand that. I just hope I never read about you in the papers. At least not for that.
I had the child who had to break everything to see how it worked. What does she do for a living? QA for Cisco. She gets paid to break things before it goes out to the customers. I thought THAT was a pretty appropriate job for her.
That’s too funny.