Unexpected Emotions

Last week was a whirlwind tour of graduations. We had eight graduates, one of whom was my own…my baby. Two from Paris High School, 5 from Bourbon County and 1 from Scott County. I expected all the emotions that come with these events. I expected to be emotional watching each one of our kids walk across the stage. I expected all the emotions that surrounded my knowledge of what each one of these kids have gone through these past 6 years as they all struggled through growing up and maturing through middle and high school. I expected to commiserate with each parent and grandparent the joy of the moment and the sadness of knowing each of these kids were no longer kids…they’re all adults now. I did not, however, expect some of the other emotions that come through at these times.

On the way to my daughter’s graduation, we drove past my mother-in-law’s church. I thought of how proud she would have been to celebrate this day with us. I thought of the special relationship she had with Tabitha, and, well, the tears come. I did not expect to revisit that grief. But, sometimes our emotions catch us unaware. The briefest moment of memory flits through our minds and suddenly we are taken back to another moment in time and we find ourselves reliving it all over again.

That’s ok. I think life is supposed to work that way. These emotional connections may cause us to be broadsided with grief every now and then, but the surprises can also be joyful. Like holding my grandchild and singing to him the lullabies I sang to his mother and aunts. That brought forth another unexpected emotion. I expected to love him and to cherish these moments. I did not expect how vividly it would take me back to the days when I held my own children in my arms. Nor did I expect how it would feel to watch my daughter become a mother and to see how she did some things like me and other things all her own.

Unexpected emotions come with being connected to one another. When we nurture those connections, we create memories. The more memories we create, the more emotions we generate. I believe this is all part of the bigger plan…to love one another. I think we’ve heard that a time or two in our time together. With this much love comes unexpected emotional reminders. I have come to love these moments. I hope you have many opportunities to experience unexpected emotions too. I hope you learn to love them as much as I do.
Blessings,
Tracy