No Simile for Parenthood

Over the past six months, I’ve learned a great deal. I’ve learned that the best way to avoid lying is to not set them up for it, that you can pretend veggies are a treat if you play it right, and that it’s dangerous to let a baby have too much naked time (read: explosive poop all over the floor). More than anything, though, as I reflect on all of these deeply profound findings, I’ve realized one thing: there’s no simile for parenthood. There is just no solitary part of life that it can be compared to. I’ve tried.

Like jumping out of an airplane with a parachute? Much scarier.

As scary as jumping out of an airplane without a parachute? Close, but not quite.

As crazy as a mosh pit? Crazier.

As joyful as flash mob? That’s only a small slice.

As funny as a sitcom? C’mon.

None of these even begins to capture the wholeness of parenting. More entertaining than a movie, more exhausting than a marathon, more rewarding than any job. These are things I didn’t know getting into all this six months ago. I know we are in a foster care role right now, but that doesn’t stop the fullness of these emotions being felt. I knew our life would change, but I didn’t know I’d be in tears bringing one of our five-year olds to the ER or laughing hysterically when our ten-month old gets crazy hyper before bedtime. These are things I’m glad I didn’t know getting into this thing, because it’s been a wonder discovering them.

For the past two months, we have been caring for a baby in addition to the other seven girls. Baby Ana has been the anecdote to any stress we were feeling before that point. We are very grateful that she sleeps through the night, eats nearly everything we can give her, and is just an absolute joy to be around. She has gone from being “severely” malnourished to “moderately” malnourished in these two months as well as caught up on her developmental milestones. We expect her to start walking and talking (or at least more coherently babbling) any day now. We are not Ana’s adoptive parents, but I could not have imagined the love that has grown between us in the last two months of life together. Now I can’t imagine the words to describe it. If any of you think of a simile for parenthood, feel free to let me know.  

The closest thing I can think of is it’s like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute while also chasing after eight little ones who also don’t have parachutes and having faith that the guy above you does, indeed, have a parachute.

***If you'd like to support us on this crazy journey, visit: https://www.youcaring.com/brooklin-becca-nash-598628