Hold My Hand and I'll Hold Yours

While I don't feel at all bitter about this, I'll apologize to my readers in advance if I come across that way.

I made an observation this afternoon while waiting for a friend for our randomly scheduled Monday coffee dates. I have one teenager left at home, and she has 2. Last week I spent an hour with another friend with 3 teenagers and one tiny newborn, and my observation is this: When a friend or a loved one has a new infant, we run towards the sweet, cooing little one. Mommy is oh-so-very tired, and help abounds, from oh-please can I babysit to casseroles to an outing with the older siblings. This was done for me too. However, when we are overwhelmed with teenagers, up late worrying about who they are hanging with this year, whether or not they'll pass algebra, or that piercing they're begging for, friends can be in shorter supply. Why? Probably because they have their own teenagers.

Moms of teenagers need don't need someone to rock the baby anymore, but we still need our friends' shoulders. I believe firmly, and part of this belief is rooted in my faith, that we are created for community, for fellowship, to give each other a hand when things aren't so great, to laugh and play when things are good. I treasure all of my girlfriends, and I treasure them even more now that my kids have grown and I get to find out who I am again. Time with adults has been fleeting for many years, and it's marvelous to find out I'm a grown-up. Even as our sweet babies become adults in the blink of an eye, we can still learn from each other as mothers, as women. I have several new friends, several who are far wiser than I was when my children were small, but I take what I learn from them and pass it on, just as they take what I can share. No one is being mentored, although that's a valuable situation too, I see our relationships the way ideally every relationship could grow into: a beautiful exchange.

Even if you're day has been just crazy, take five minutes after curfew, or bedtime, to call a friend, and if you don't have time to call, email or FB or Twitter or whatever you do, however you communicate. I know your world will be richer for it. Mine is. And that other mom may just need your voice today.