Only as happy as your saddest child.

Parenting doesn't end. All of my kids now have more education than I do. They are successful and either in that position they were looking for or they are getting close. In two years they will have 4 graduate degrees between them (compared to 0 for their parents)

I should be happy, fulfilled, reveling in their success.

But no one is happy. Mitch's finger accident, Meghan's miscarriage and treatment for partial molar pregnancy, and Nic's loneliness have left them struggling. When one of them is struggling I seem able to focus on them, pray, and speak word that are helpful. When three of them are down, I get depressed and wonder if there is something I did wrong in preparing them with strength for these periods. 

Emotional strength is something that should be taught, in both a sacred and secular setting. We are blessed as a body of believers to live in an easy time to express faith. We are also blessed to life in the United States of America. But we are an emotional mess when things don't seem perfect.

I wonder what my words should be for those "valley days." Is that my job as dad in these years? Do I have a job?