A mother once told the story of her child who seemed to be living two different lives. The child would display behavior one way to the parent and another way to their friends. They would speak one language to the parent and another toward their friends. This parent also expressed the idea that it seemed the child was becoming more distant and the instruction and training given the child over the years was being abandoned by the child in subtle mannerisms and choices.
Whether we realize it or not a scene such as this may develop in the parent especially the mother, a grieving heart much like the death of a loved one would. You feel enormous guilt. What did I do wrong as a parent? Did I neglect my child in some area? You also feel that your heart is breaking, often begging your child to change their course of direction they are taking with tears in your eyes. You may develop depression as a result of your continued sorrow for the direction your flesh and blood is taking.
I know a family who struggled with a child, more than one actually that went a direction in their life totally contrary with the upbringing the parents taught and displayed before their children. For many years the parents, most notably the mother grieved, feeling in part as if they failed somehow in their job as a parent. Each individual is responsible for their own choices in life and sometimes may choose a different path than that which their parent has raised them to believe, practice, and follow as they grow older.
Sometimes a child may turn around later in life, but that does not take away the heartache felt over the years. We may have no control over a situation in life that we have to learn to tolerate. This is Sunrise.
