Each week Donna from What The Redhead Said hosts a post which other bloggers can link up to. The series is called Living Arrows. It’s inspired by a line from a poem.
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”
More about the poem in a moment. The premise of the series though is that it is a weekly post where we can share a photo or 2 from that week and talk about them. I really like the idea and for the first year ever I am starting from week 1!
Week 1
Bess
This week saw Bess turn 13. I have always done my best to raise all of my children to use their voice. I want them to know that they have a say. That they are important. Great things to instil in a person, right?
It’s all fun and games until said child starts forming an opinion which differs from your own. This week Bess asked me whether, for her birthday, she could cut her hair into a much shorter style. I hated the idea initially. It is bad enough that she had to grow from my beautiful baby into a toddler. From my cute little toddler into curious child and then from my curious child into a teenager. But to add insult to injury by getting a much more grown up look straight away?
I may have sworn. I at least kept it internal. Then I actually thought of the poem which this series is inspired by. Here it is for anyone who hasn’t read it:
On Children
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Kahlil had a point
The fact is that whether I like it or not, this girl is growing into a woman. She has her own ideas about who she is going to become and how she will carve out a path for herself. Who am I to stand in her way even if I wanted to? I think the best thing I can do is just hope to guide her. Of course it would be lovely if she could just pause every now and again for me to catch up but I am so proud of how strong and independent my funny little girl has become.
Besides, it seriously suits her.
Moose
This week was Moose’s first back at school. Second day in was a dress up day. Luckily I had lost the letter so I was able to experience the pure panic of finding out about the dress up day 24 hours before the costume would be needed.
I am more than a little pleased that I can cobble together a costume in no time at all. Yes, a bit smug. I’m not able to be smug very often so I think I can be forgiven?
When my siblings and I were young we had a relative who made us a few outfits for playing dress up. I kept them and they have been passed from child to child. This Green top with white sleeves has made Princes, Lords, Knights, Pirates and this week, The Highway Rat!
Moose loved his costume and he had a really fun storybook day.
I am so happy you’re doing Living Arrows this year – from the very first week! I can’t imagine having a teenager – her hair looks awesome and she is properly rocking it in that photo! x
Her hair looks fab! I can’t imagine what my boys will be like when they’re teenagers, they’re still so little at the moment. And that is a great Highway Rat costume! #LivingArrows
Oh I love her hair – I think it looks great! Moose looks very sweet in his costume! #LivingArrows