love is

a friend of mine once said "you are given children to raise you - they give you so much more than you give them"

i dont know if it is a matter of more or less, but the basic idea in this statement of hers is true. the nature of parenting reveals ourselves to us - our flaws, our fears, our strengths and our beauty. we see in our kids who we've already been and we see in them that which we will never be.

it is easy for me to focus on my flaws when confronted with an accusation - and it is no different when the accuser is one of my own children - but it is also amazing just how much forgiveness and love resides in the heart of my children - even if they are grown.

my kids love me.

of course i tell them all the time that no matter what they do i will always love them - but what do i think the moment they rail against my faults? that they don't love me.

love is so much greater than lack of flaw.