Sage's best friend moved away yesterday. I could feel my boy's heart breaking inside my own chest as we watched his friend head down the road. It felt almost like I could suffocate from the ache he was holding. I held him and we cried together as we felt the weight of this departure. It is his first heartbreak from losing someone he loves in this lifetime.
We decided to spend the rest of the day on a mystery journey to the countryside to ease our hurt hearts. We found magic out there in the valleys around us. And we came home feeling a little lighter, a little more at peace. Thus begin the lessons we found this week:
1. Given time, heartbreak and hurt will fade.
2. "Misbehavior" is usually about something altogether different that what we see at the surface.
3. Nature soothes our souls.
4. Children are wise, fragile, precious, and strong beyond description.
5. And so are we all.
Add your lessons in the comments below, won't you?
Poor Sage. 🙁 What a fabulous way to spend the day, however…
My lessons this week:
– Two is two is two is two. As awesome as my kid is, he’s still two. He will behave as such on occasion.
– Helping someone, in no matter what facet, will make you feel better about life in general.
Although I don’t have children of my own to share here, I vividly remember being the best friend who was leaving. I was 9 years old when my family moved us from California to Oregon. Calling my best friend to tell her we were moving was the hardest thing I ever had to do. We cried on the phone together and had a very tearful goodbye later that month. However, in time, the sadness does fade, and keeping the friendship strong can happen. She and I are still best friends 20 years later, and she’ll be standing up as my maid of honor in my upcoming wedding in September. Hopefully Sage and his friend can remain close, even with distance between them… In time, it will become easier and the wounds will heal.
Thanks for sharing your lessons here. It gives me some insight into the world of parenting, which I hope to enter sometime in the near future…
This Mary Oliver poem came to me today and reminded me of your post. So i’ll pass it along.
To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.
Casey,
Oh, two! Enjoy the adventure. But beware: after two is three. (Gasp!)
~ Rachel
Kristen,
I just read this to Sage and his eyes got really big and he smiled. Thank you for sharing. I had tried sharing stories of far-away childhood friends, but this one was by far the best.
(hugs)
Rachel
Nancy,
SO beautiful. Thank you.
~ Rachel
An ongoing lesson at our house:
Sometimes it’s great to hear our words out of the mouth of our three year old and sometimes…not so much.
Oh, it is so hard to watch as our childrens’ hearts get crushed, isn’t it? Your son will be in my thoughts…
Heartache is in the air this week, but through heartache, we seem to find our strengths sometimes.
My lessons this week:
1. With time, pain and grieving does get better.
2. No matter how hard I try, my life will be messy and disorganized and I am very slowly coming to terms with this.
3. Thrifting is wonderful therapy, especially with my girls who have caught the thrift bug.
4. Changing things up a bit from my daily routine is necessary sometimes…
Happy weekend!
There’s a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out. ~Lou Reed
I feel for Sage. I’m 37 yrs old and my best friend moves away in 2 weeks, and I feel the ache in my heart too.
I have 2 little ones under 4, so the lessons come thick and fast at the moment!! Too many to write down, if I start I may never stop. But the lessons you shared are pretty universal – regardless of age, location, etc.
Although I knew this already, nature does indeed soothe our souls. Yesterday, I walked the riverside foot paths that I trekked with my grandpa in my youth (and ever since) and took photos of the same spots that I have hundreds of times before, but another lesson is that it’s okay to do that because they are never quite the same.
Lovely photos, dear one.
Just curious…where is this beautiful mystery place?
Rachel-
It warms my heart so much to know that my story brightened Sage’s day! Best of luck to him and the future of his friendship. Have a great week!
-Kristen
Sara,
Ooh! Been there. 🙂
Rachel
Megan,
Im a little behind on comments but this was touching and resonant on every level. Thanks for sharing.
~ Rachel
Blessings, Michelle. Good luck with the transition. Its a big one when you are a mama and need your loving support around you.
~ Rachel
So sweet, Jodi. Our grandparents are such important beings in our growth. I remember my grandpa every time I smell two-cycle motor oil, hear a chainsaw, or scratch my hand on a blackberry bush.
~ Rachel
Laura,
I can give you directions. Its easy to find, in the vicinity of Avalanche.
xo Rachel