I am writing this to you, lest we forget what a historic month May 2020 turned out to be--for you personally and in our nation.
At the first of the month, pandemic restrictions were lifted in Georgia and we took a 36 hour trip to the beach. It turns out sand in our toes was grounding. The sun on our skin was therapeutic. A change of scenery was a glorious gift to our mental health.
We returned home for a final week of online school. Ninth grade is officially complete!
A week later you all became gainfully employed with your first jobs--K & R lifeguarding and P at a favorite local deli. You filled out your first tax forms and rose to the occasion of adult activities like drug screens, orientations, and negotiating work schedules.
On the 26th we celebrated your 16th birthday in a back-to-basics driveby/stop by front yard gathering with friends. Watching all of you interact was a reminder of how important social interaction is--never forget the gift of community and friendship!
Kate and Ryland each passed their driver's test--another non-traditional affair as Covid regulations prohibited the examiner from riding in the car. Instead, she watched with her clipboard as your Dad and I rode in silence (under threat of penalty) if we spoke. This proved harder for one of us than the other. ;-)
I didn't mention the first date and new crush that emerged from this month for two of you...and what an absolute handful our pandemic pup has been. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of milestones to note in this house!
It is now the first week of June and even without camp, this Summer is proving to be one of tremendous growth. Physically, all three of you are over 5 feet. (5 ft K, 5'4" P, and 5'9" R) Spiritually, you each are investing in your personal relationships with the Lord and your church family. Civically, you are learning how to work hard and contribute at home and in the world.
The racial unrest in our country has led to deep and important conversations about the multi-layered complexities of race in this country and how we can serve as allies. There are no easy answers--but I am so proud of your willingness to consider the questions.
We have spoken of the importance of lament, leadership, compassion, and authentic love of neighbor.
And that was May.
This has been a month I've wondered about since I knew I was carrying triplets--three 16 years olds!! But I can honestly say, as with most things, the anticipation was far more emotional than the actual season. Perhaps it is because there have been SO MANY firsts, I haven't been riding the waves. Instead, I feel buoyant with hope and joy.
While I know the Covid crisis has been devastating for countless people, the time at home before you emerged into the world this Summer was truly formative.
I know this is just the beginning of all that comes with budding independence and adolescence, but I am truly more joyful than sad and clinging to the hope of Phillippians1:6 "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it..."
"So, be truly glad, there is wonderful joy ahead..." I Peter1:6
What an interesting post! I'm so glad to have stumbled upon your blog! I have an almost-16-year-old who just completed her driving classes but still needs to take her in-car instruction. We were wondering how the exam was going to go down. I heard that the examiner is no longer in the car with the student and we couldn't quite figure out how that would work. It sounds like a parent was in the car with your kids. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to checking out the rest of your blog!
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