When my first son was born several decades ago in Albuquerque, as I was walking down the steps of the hospital, I felt a mantle of responsibility come down on me, almost like someone was wrapping a cloak around my shoulders.
It was tangible and heavy. I knew that from that time forward, the care of that beautiful baby in my wife’s arms was in my hands. My life was no longer my own, to live as I wished.
It was a glorious and terrible moment.
As our family grew, and we went into a steep learning curve about how to raise kids, that mantle became more comfortable, but it never went away. It always reminded me that my primary responsibility was not to myself and my needs, but to those innocent young children entrusted to me.
I’d like to say that as a grandparent, with all six of my children now fully adult and busily engaged in their own lives, families and careers, that mantle is finally gone.
But that would be untrue.
It has changed dramatically. Its focus has expanded to include sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Instead of correction or hands-on assistance, it calls for prayer, guidance, encouragement and help as needs arise in the family.
But it remains, a gentle but stubborn reminder that parenting, and grandparenting, are lifetime commitments.
Only active print or digital subscribers of the Tulsa World are allowed to post comments on stories posted to Tulsaworld.com. After you fill out the form below and click submit, your comment will be published instantly online along with your screen name.
By clicking "Submit" you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.
