Not "The Boundary" but some independence I wish I had taken a picture, I wish I had captured the moment several times but I was too busy being in the moment.
The last time we camped in the White Mountains just 5 hours from home... The last time we visited Luna Lake where the bald eagle has been nesting for the past 25 years... The last time the kids were three and we had to watch them so closely. We had to teach them about the dangers of the roads near camp, the campfire and wondering off. Where climbing the steps into our RV proved hazardous on more than one occasion.
That was almost 6 years ago. This time we came prepared with new fishing poles, fishing nets and bikes. We also had to let out some reign; they wanted to explore on their own... The first question when we woke up on our first full day was, "Where is our boundary mom?" 50 yards from our camper was the tree line and a drop off to the path which led to the lake... "Your boundary, kids, is the tree line. From there you can still see the camper which means I can still see you." With that affirmation they were off...
"The Boundary" quickly became a place. They could play along the tree line with each other, a place they could run the dogs out to and a place where often times I would catch my daughter sitting silently alone on the biggest moss-covered rock looking out over the lake below. We'd hear them call out as they ran past us, "Going to the Boundary, mom/dad".
The Boundary became a little more symbolic, if you can't tell... A little freedom for our twins. Much less dependent on us or being within arm length. They had their own little conversations and giggles along that tree line, ones we were not privy to. There were other things on this trip too, which symbolized the passage of time.
They both became pros at fishing... Putting bait on their own hooks, casting and reeling in. There were some bumps, some cuts and bruises. There were more than a couple of almost tumbles in the lake. There was a minor cut with a new "boy's" pocket knife which we said would happen but we still had to try it anyway. All this they had to learn on their own and we let them. We let them because no matter how much we'd warn, how much we'd caution, how often our own life experiences could predict the future somehow we didn't know what we were talking about; until they learned the hard way and we were kissing boo-boos and bandaging knees.
Each passing year The Boundary gets a little further away. I wanted to stop time several times this trip and make it all slow down. Instead, we made each moment count...
This world says things won't always be like they are today, each passing day brings another challenge in raising our children to be good, honest and God-fearing. Each day proves moments won't always be this good, there is a harder day on the horizon and some we may not want to tackle. Fear will creep in if you let it.
Last night as we sat around the campfire, I prayed for them, for their future - one we cannot see. We want our children to live limitless, to become all they can be and we know they will be mighty in whatever they do. A mother's heart still pray's.
I prayed they would live within the boundaries we set up and model for them and when they don't - I prayed God would take care of the rest.
The last time we camped in the White Mountains just 5 hours from home... The last time we visited Luna Lake where the bald eagle has been nesting for the past 25 years... The last time the kids were three and we had to watch them so closely. We had to teach them about the dangers of the roads near camp, the campfire and wondering off. Where climbing the steps into our RV proved hazardous on more than one occasion.
That was almost 6 years ago. This time we came prepared with new fishing poles, fishing nets and bikes. We also had to let out some reign; they wanted to explore on their own... The first question when we woke up on our first full day was, "Where is our boundary mom?" 50 yards from our camper was the tree line and a drop off to the path which led to the lake... "Your boundary, kids, is the tree line. From there you can still see the camper which means I can still see you." With that affirmation they were off...
"The Boundary" quickly became a place. They could play along the tree line with each other, a place they could run the dogs out to and a place where often times I would catch my daughter sitting silently alone on the biggest moss-covered rock looking out over the lake below. We'd hear them call out as they ran past us, "Going to the Boundary, mom/dad".
The Boundary became a little more symbolic, if you can't tell... A little freedom for our twins. Much less dependent on us or being within arm length. They had their own little conversations and giggles along that tree line, ones we were not privy to. There were other things on this trip too, which symbolized the passage of time.
They both became pros at fishing... Putting bait on their own hooks, casting and reeling in. There were some bumps, some cuts and bruises. There were more than a couple of almost tumbles in the lake. There was a minor cut with a new "boy's" pocket knife which we said would happen but we still had to try it anyway. All this they had to learn on their own and we let them. We let them because no matter how much we'd warn, how much we'd caution, how often our own life experiences could predict the future somehow we didn't know what we were talking about; until they learned the hard way and we were kissing boo-boos and bandaging knees.
Each passing year The Boundary gets a little further away. I wanted to stop time several times this trip and make it all slow down. Instead, we made each moment count...
This world says things won't always be like they are today, each passing day brings another challenge in raising our children to be good, honest and God-fearing. Each day proves moments won't always be this good, there is a harder day on the horizon and some we may not want to tackle. Fear will creep in if you let it.
Last night as we sat around the campfire, I prayed for them, for their future - one we cannot see. We want our children to live limitless, to become all they can be and we know they will be mighty in whatever they do. A mother's heart still pray's.
I prayed they would live within the boundaries we set up and model for them and when they don't - I prayed God would take care of the rest.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, '"and bring you back from captivity". Jeremiah 29:11-14
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