Tears were flowing during our session - on both coasts! And yet, our hearts were warmed as we shared how this group has made an impact on our lives. Over and over again we shared how Parents Together helped us to know that we are not alone in our parenting adventures!
For 13 years we came together in honor of our children - of our families - in honor of supporting ourselves. It has been Amazing! Truly life altering.
Today Mary Ellen called Parents Together a gift of Love, Courage and Wisdom. She reflected how we would go deeper than "quick advice" to discover the layers of what was happening in our families. She admired our willingness to meet the challenges of parenting. Each one of us has been forever changed by this group and our time spent together.
Mary Ellen is an amazing facilitator and guide~ creating an environment where we would come and feel safe, not judged, and deeply deeply loved.
Yes, Parents Together is over... at least how we knew it to be. My son, Adam, sent me a text today, knowing how I was struggling with letting go of what Parents Together has been. He wrote, "But Parents Together will never die as long as you keep it alive" I send that message on to all of you. Let's keep Parents Together rippling out in ways we will not be able predict or imagine.
THANK YOU MARY ELLEN -
FOR ALL YOUR LOVE, COURAGE & WISDOM
FOR ALL YOUR LOVE, COURAGE & WISDOM
love you dearly!
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2 comments:
Gretchen wrote: "Let's keep Parents Together rippling out in ways we will not be able predict or imagine." Who would have thought Parents Together would have reached 3,000 miles when we started it in the basement of a church 13 years ago? It is hard to believe how Parents Together has changed and grown over the years. I know that I will be forever grateful to Mary Ellen, Gretchen and all the participants who have shared and allowed me to share. Parents Together has made me a better mother. Parents Together has made me a better person. What could be better?!
We owe it to not just to Mary Ellen to continue Parents Together, though we owe her a debt which can never be repaid.
We owe it not just to ourselves, though Parents Together has given us strength and wisdom, consciousness and confidence.
We owe it not just to our children, though they are living proof that our being better parents, conscious parents produces such wonderful rewards.
We owe it to each other. We are a rock for each other, even when we feel we are not strong in our own world. We are often a model for each other, even though the situation may not yet have presented itself- as I often made mental notes on how Monica or Gretchen or Lisa H handled a situation, and brought it to fruition only years later as my child(ren) grew into said calamity.
One day we are the one passing the Kleenex, the next we are one taking one. We are all in it together.
Mary Ellen was right when she said she would always be there with us in that little room- or wherever we meet. She will. We will channel her - her love, her energy, her wisdom.
The ripples are indeed wider than we know. They flow out to any mother who overhears one of us speak with respect and kindness to our child, and are inspired to do the same.
The ripples flow out to any parent we support instead of judge, any child we advocate for even though they are not ours. Ripple out through every knowing glance, every offer of help. Every moment swaying with another woman’s baby on your hip while she blissfully has a cup of coffee.
These gentle ripples will extend through generations- an awesome prospect!- as our children will continue this work with the love and attention to detail with which they were raised.
We owe it to not just to Mary Ellen to continue Parents Together, but I would- just for her- coast to coast.
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