Tonight I attended my first quincanera. That is quite a fun word to say. It was for a young lady who I knew since she was one of my preteens. I did not however know before today that it was in Whittier. I also did not know that it was a masquerade party and that these things tend to be formal events. Fortunately I had enough time between work that I could go home and rustle something together real quick. I did not have a mask on hand, which I know, yes, is out of the ordinary. I mean, who doesn't keep a mask around the house for such an opportunity like this? So, I fashioned one out of a paper bag. I have to say I think my mask was the best one there.
It was really great to see her friends support her by learning a dance that they hadn't even heard of before now and committing themselves to learn for weeks just to encourage her. The dance was a traditional Columbian dance called the Coombya or something like that which sounded to me like Kumbaya so that's what I called it. This girl is amazing, by the way. She has the biggest heart you could possibly imagine for a teenager. She's so giving and thoughtful and joyful. It's incredibly convicting to see that in someone so young. Incidentally, she'll be getting baptized tomorrow. God has great things planned for her. Her sister is in preteens now and she is every bit as loving and joyful as her sister.
I was discussing with a friend of mine how growing up is so unpredictable. You can be the best parent in the world and your child could still wind up running down the wrong path. And on the flip side, you could be a horrible parent and that child could blossom into a tremendous individual. It all depends on the spirit and the path that God has laid out for each of us.
It's funny, I grew up with incredibly loving parents who supported my love and passion and believed in me and I was surrounded by friends who did the same. Yet I still battle with so much insecurity and fear of failing. It's a weird paradox. And a lot of it has to do with how each individual interprets the world around them and how that in turn shapes their behavior. I have come along way and I believe it was part of God's plan to shape me like He did so eventually I would seek Him and take the question of my worth to Him for an answer rather than others.
That's part of my heart for the preteens, to give them a background of understanding to grow up in and to battle the lies that settle in at such a crucial time in their development. I know its not my job to save them, but I can be present with them and love them.
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