There was a horrible moment at my son’s wrestling match last weekend when he suddenly stopped trying to escape from his opponent’s hold and laid down on the mat with a grimace on his face. The referee stopped the clock, his coach ran over to him, and then the trainer came over and started assessing him. From our vantage point in the bleachers it was clear that there was something wrong with his knee. It was hard to stand there watching, but that’s what parents are supposed to do.
After a few minutes our son got up, and everyone cheered. We were relieved, but then surprised to see the officials resetting the clock to finish out the match. While I was glad that my son felt good enough to keep competing, I was concerned that he might do more damage to his knee. Luckily it was the last match of the day, so he only had to push through for a few more minutes. (He put up a good fight, but ended up losing that match, taking second place for the tournament.)
When the match was over, he followed protocol and shook hands with his opponent’s coaches, and then came off the mat to be greeted by his good friend and co-captain, who embraced him with a hug.
That moment was so bittersweet! It was touching to witness the closeness of their friendship. I was proud of his friend for reaching out to him, and glad to see my son getting the support he so clearly wanted and needed. But I had to choke back tears as I realized that that was what he really wanted–support from his friend, not from his Mom!
I know that part of parenting a teenager is letting go, but I am realizing that this means not only letting our kids make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons, but also letting them develop their own relationships and build their own support systems. (It seems that parenting “experts” focus on the former without reminding us of the latter.) As hard as it is to not be the one my son wants when he’s hurting, it’s wonderful to know that he has really good friends who will be there for him.
Of course, I know that my son still needs me. Later that night he did ask me which pain reliever to take, and he even agreed to wrap his knee with Arctic Ease. I will be the one who takes him to the orthopedist, and I will share in his heartache if he is told that he needs to take some time off from wrestling. But I will understand if he thinks that only his friends really understand what he is going through–no matter how wrong he is!
I have managed to maintain my “happy weight” through this much of 2011, and I would really like to be wearing my skinny jeans when we greet 2012. On the other hand, I am not in the mood to deprive myself of the Starbucks Peppermint Mochas, the homemade Christmas cookies, and the Peppermint Bark that I enjoy so much this time of year.
So, I have devised a three-part damage control plan to get me through December without collecting too many extra pounds along the way.
Sweat Every Day. I will do at least 20 minutes of cardio every day. While this fits easily in my usual routine, it gets harder in December when I lose my Saturdays to my son’s wrestling tournaments, my Sundays fill up with other holiday activities, and the cold, dark mornings make it tempting to hit the snooze button. I’ll be Tweeting my cardio with the #sweateveryday hashtag.
Planks. I will do planks every day, starting with 60 second planks (three) and working up to 2 minute planks. What better way to keep my waistline in mind than working my core with planks? Maybe my abs will be too sore to reach for that platter of cookies. 😉 I’ll be Tweeting my planks with the #plankaday hashtag.
Drink 64 Ounces Water. I will drink 64 ounces of water every day. This used to be easy, but my normal consumption has dropped off to about 48 ounces, and sometimes I don’t drink any water at all once I get home from work. I know that keeping hydrated will make me feel better and help me “just say no” to the not-worth-it, store-bought holiday fare that often is served at holiday parties. I will be tracking my water consumption with my Waterlogged App.
I will be Tweeting other healthy choices under the #Back2Basics hashtag, inspired by Colleen’s Back To Basics challenge.
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. In the Christian church calendar, Advent is the “season” when we get ready for Christmas. In most Christian traditions, Advent has a dual meaning: we remember the first Christmas when Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the three kings awaited and rejoiced at the birth of Christ, while we also await and prepare for Jesus’ promised return.
In the second week of Advent, we focus on preparing for Jesus’ arrival. That always brings this song to mind:
Once I shake off images of men with long hair or Afros and women in long flowing skirts dancing around the stage, I think about what it would mean to really get ready for Jesus.
When I was in high school, one of my good friends had a stay-at-home mom (she was a “housewife” back then) and a father who was a diplomat who worked long hours at a stressful job. Part of their daily routine was to “get ready for Papa to come home.” That meant picking up the sweaters and jackets that were cast off in the entryway, collecting the bookbags that were strewn around the family room, and setting the table for dinner. I think about this when I think about preparing for Jesus.
When my daughter is coming home from college, I clean up her room, stock the pantry with her favorite snacks, and make plans for a family dinner at one of her favorite restaurants. I think about this when I think about preparing for Jesus.
When friends are coming over, we clean the house, we sweep the front walk, we buy flowers for the table. I think about this when I think about preparing for Jesus.
If I were going to welcome Jesus like an out-of-town guest, what would I do to get ready for his arrival? I know some faiths emphasize “repenting” to get ready for the Second Coming, but that’s a personal focus. What I am talking about is what I can do to make the world a place that Jesus would want to return to.
What comes to mind is loving my neighbor more (Matthew 22:37-40), doing more to care for the hungry, the sick, the poor, and the imprisoned (Matthew 25: 35-40), and looking for opportunities to do my Master’s will while He is away (Luke 12: 35-48). And that brings this song to mind:
How are you getting ready?
Prayer for the second week of Advent
As we plan and make decisions, God be our way.
As we learn and ask questions, God be our truth.
As we grow and change, God be our life. Amen.
(Did you miss my post on the first week of Advent?)
I have been running since 2001, through the trials of injuries, raising teenagers, and managing a successful but stressful career. My friends, family, and faith keep me going. ~ Coco
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