Perhaps a Manual

So, one of the hardest lessons I learned as a new parent (nearly 30 years ago),
was this:

Do not be afraid to give a child a balloon because you know it could pop.

And the second hardest:

Just because they don't love you the way you want,
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they are.

You cannot hold back opportunities and passions.
If there are lessons to be learned, you hope they learn them - quickly.
And you are always the biggest cheerleader, no matter the dream they are chasing.
But whether your child is 5 or 95, you will always be a parent.
You will want to guide and protect and steer and suggest.
You always want what is best for your 'baby'.
You don't want to restrain them because you might have had a bad experience.
This is their time, their chance, their experience.
It still scares the crap out of you. And you just hold on and pray for positive things.
But that parenting, mentoring, guidance and love will never cease.

And the third hardest lesson I learned, and had to wait to learn:

Love your parents all the time as much as you can, because they are yours.
They will not be there forever and when that void opens - it just cannot be filled.

Ugh! Perhaps there really should be a manual.