Parents can struggle with this.
If contact is 'at a distance' then those phone calls are so, so important. The minutes when they walk home and chat, saying whatever they want to speak about, may appear trivial to some: but they are the life-blood of the relationship for us. We dissect each and every sentence afterwards, looking for glimpses of contentment, any 'progress' towards that person they want to be - they really are, but society holds them back.
Occasionally we also note times when it is not just ok, when we, from hundreds of miles away, just so long to hold them, to bring them back home. And many people would just say 'why don't you?'
Because they long to be independent, as we do, but we also desperately want to walk alongside them every step of the way - if they'd permit it. On those days when the phonecall is a portal of gloom we, upon the dissection of the information given, are the greatest self-critics. We can apportion blame to ourselves so easily when really we need to focus everything upon them. Together we can reflect upon what has been said and grow in strength again. For the next phonecall, to be there for them.
These moments are like the dew in the early morn, so welcome.
Occasionally they can be moments when we are not wanted and we are 'in the way'. It is their life we tell ourselves and we are here for them whenever, whatever, but that does little to hold back the tears which flow 'after' we have left them. We cling together knowing that we must keep strong - for them.
And we will.
Love is ...
And even when things hurt us, we rebound because they are just so wonderful...
If you are a parent of a #LGBTQ child take heart please, for yes there are days of darkness and days of glorious technicolour. It's like a rollercoaster but the only way forward is ...forward with our child. because of our love for them.
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