One night last week while my ten year old daughter and I were eating supper, she told me that she wants twins when she grows up. Well, like many ten year old girls, she is quite possibly day dreaming of the all~American life. You know, the one that dreams of the perfect husband and kids, followed by the perfect house and car, the Donna Reed kind of life.
Growing up in a small Southern town, we were all classically conditioned to think this way. I cannot think of many of my high school classmates that didn’t get married young while striving for the “dream.” Many of the females from this same generation (unbeknownst to thier spouces,) regretted getting married so young. They regretted not searching for themselves before settling down. 20 years later they are mostly happy, thankfully. Many with kids, some still searching for what the others have found, but most still have that longing in thier eyes, the one that says to them, “there has gotta be more.”
As for me, my favorite movie comes into play…right about now in this post. The name of that movie is “Eat, Pray, and Love,” with Julia Roberts. In this movie she has a box under her bed stuffed with travel guides and maps of places she wants to travel. That was me ten years ago. I had a plan, a traveling plan. But like my friends I too settled down searching for my traveling inside marriage and kids. Ten years later (and single might I add) I find I am still searching for God, and the wonderful things I missed.
Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong with being married and or having kids. I love my kids dearly, but I was so young. I thought I knew what I was doing. I am not so sure now that I did.
So, with fresh ideas and lessons learned I told my darling daughter these inspiring words, “Sweetheart, you don’t need a man, you need a map. I want you to find yourself for yourself before trying to find your identity inside of someone else.”
Were on a hunt, but its for destinations. 🙂 I wonder where she can travel first?
fierygardenofgod 