Buy A Hotel

I remember one time my mother telling me that she wished she could buy a hotel so that each of us kids would have a place to live on our own but still be close to her. I laughed when she said that not knowing the depth of the meaning of her words. Being the fourth of six kids and watching our parents do everything they could to keep us happy and healthy, it seemed like a huge job. I would have thought they would do about anything for a moment's peace. Now, being the mother of two adult children and an eight year old, the struggle of emotions is real as I have watched two of them grow and go their own way.

Having children is a great blessing. Watching them grow, mature, and their personalities shape. I can't tell you how many times my two oldest told me they were never gonna leave home. But I knew that inevitably they would do as so many children have done before, setting out into the world on their own. They have that longing for experiences of life that they can't get under my wing. It isn't easy to let go. So much time as a parent is spent protecting, teaching, and preparing them just to one day hear them say they are ready to strike out on their own. Then, of course, all you want to do is lock them away where they can be kept safe.

You think back over the years as they were growing up and ask yourself, "Did I do enough to prepare them? Did I teach them right?" Fear and doubts creep in about your parenting abilities. But eventually you realise that this is part of the process of growing up and coming of age. They need this experience in life so they will one day be able to pass on their wisdom to their children. This road is one I have been on as well as my mother and her mother before her. Children grow up and move on to experience love, pain, joy, and sarrow because this is what they are supposed to do. They will potentially meet the love of their life. Some will become parents and yes, like my mother and now me, they will want to buy a hotel!