As I’m rocking my baby back to sleep, comforting her through another round of teething (molars!) I was comforted by reading this! My mind wanders to the future and it’s filled with moments like the ones you shared - a roller coaster of emotions rooted in love. I didn’t think I’d start the year of the snake like this, on zero sleep but here we are ❣️🧨☁️
“I know it’s not because she doesn’t care. Just the opposite, in fact, because I know she cares a lot” — I have the same thoughts when my teen reacts similarly because I was that way too. For my husband, feelings flow more freely, so he’s more likely to misinterpret their reactions, which can snowball into a bigger misunderstanding and hurt feelings. Now, he understands the mismatch in how they process feelings, and he doesn’t take it personally. Really good point to share. And, as always, dreamy post still grounded in realism. I love how you mix those two elements!
This piece is studded with gold! Your perspective is so very beautiful. Age really is a gift isn’t it. I notice as I age that I likewise take in life from a place of simultaneous distance and intimacy. It’s really striking, this vantage point, this acceptance.
Love your writing and your heart. Love the nun who found her wild. That hits. Glorious— good on her 🤍
I wish I remembered the nun's name. But there were a number of nuns at the school. I still remember what she looks like. So spunky with short curly hair. A real character.
You and your generously shared perspective remain my guiding light as to what life could look like some years in the future.
As you know, I'm about 7-8 years behind you in parenting, and at an inflection point with my 13 and (almost) 10yos where I can see glimpses of how our family may be in the future that are just as vivid as my memories of them 7 years ago as sticky toddlers and grade-schoolers.
Thanks for highlighting a path that is so thoughtful and loving -- it is so valuable to witness.
These are very crucial ages in development. Your family is going to go through so much - and a lot of it will be very positive, good things. I can see that now that I have some distance. 💕
I am in that same stage as you. Have already lost one parent while mentally preparing for the day when I lose the other while simultaneously witnessing my own aging through my grown children’s eyes. You nailed it about the fear of them coming face to face with their parents’ mortality. Regardless of the physicalities, whether appearance or health-based, I think it’s seeing the vulnerability of their parents that undoes them. (I know it did for me with mine.)
I hear you, Leslie. I’ve lost one parent already too (3 total if counting in-laws). This is something we all face and it was like a light turned on when I realized that my kids are starting to experience the very beginnings of that reality. We’re still young, but there is no doubt that the health issues are starting to stack up. The circle of life!
I've visited London every year for the past 10 years on a February or March (I showed up in 2020 in early February) to watch the football there as an annual birthday gift and I loved getting to the see the city through your and your family's eyes here. I'll keep those parenting thoughts filed in the back of my mind if I ever get the opportunity to be one. Sorry you experienced some physical pain and heartache for part of your visit, but yeah, the silver lining was getting to have those conversations with your children about this transition period in life for all of you. Cheers!
What an annual birthday gift! I did go back since that very first trip when I was 17, but it was still 22 years ago before I had the kids. Still, in the 22 years the thing that changed that was most noticeable was the food and all the food halls. So many diverse choices now! We ate so well. 🥰
"That trip changed my young life. I was so thrilled to be there and it felt like a dream. The place where my all favorite bands hailed from, where I breathed in inspiration for everything." Perfect way to capture visiting Europe at that age! (I lived in Vienna and travelled to Italy, Czechoslovakia, Zurich, Denmark, Paris, Ireland, Wales & London with my family, aged 17-18.)
I STILL remember that feeling even now. All the wonder, excitement. We didn’t travel growing up, so this trip was so important. I was thinking the other day, however, now that the world is more globally accessible with the internet and social media, whether that same thrill of new experiences is a tiny bit less. Nothing beats first-hand experiences, but I had nothing but a few books to prep me for what to expect. Do you know what I mean?
Absolutely! Also, I think the fact that we couldn’t communicate with folks back home (except, you know, by air mail letter) made it a lot more immersive.
This piece hit home over and over. My own family on the brink of a new stage as my oldest looks at colleges, my own parents aging, the family dynamics brought to the surface without familiar surroundings, cues, routines. And London holds a special place in my heart. This is one of my favorite reads today. Thank you, Jenna.
Wow. The real time realization I came to while reading this. The bit about how easy it is for some to comfort outsiders but find it difficult to comfort their loved ones. That was me thinking of my daughter 30. Then later realizing to her I too am getting older 51. This is normally something I would think about after losing my dad and watching my mom as she gets older. I hadn’t thought about how my own children may have the same reservations about me. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve enjoyed your content since your days on Etsy as a baker. That’s how many moons ago I have been following your work.
I let this sit in my inbox for a week before I opened it. I'm glad I opened it instead of deleting without reading, which I often do, especially as I approach 300 unread emails - almost all from mailing lists. The writing is gorgeous. So rich and multisensory and lives up to the Substack's name. I want to keep it as inspiration, as an example of the kind of writing I strive toward.
The writing and feelings in this, along with the photos, is beautiful. I wasn't ready for the turn in the middle, of you realizing the possible root of your daughter's apprehensive behavior when you got sick. It's probably harder seeing the reality of your parent's mortality as a teenager because there's still so many other changes going on with them and within the family. Great piece!
It was such a big revelation! I was a few years older than my kids are when my mom was ill with her first major surgery that took 9 months to recover. She was younger than I am now - I think 48, which is wild to think about. But man, I am feeling my age the last two years. This trip really proved that I can’t push my body like that anymore :(
Yeah, when your body starts telling you that you aren't as young as your mind thinks, that can be tough realization. We have to accept these things and make adjustments, but it can still take a while.
As I’m rocking my baby back to sleep, comforting her through another round of teething (molars!) I was comforted by reading this! My mind wanders to the future and it’s filled with moments like the ones you shared - a roller coaster of emotions rooted in love. I didn’t think I’d start the year of the snake like this, on zero sleep but here we are ❣️🧨☁️
I hope you get through the teething phase and get some restful sleep in your future. Happy lunar new year!
“I know it’s not because she doesn’t care. Just the opposite, in fact, because I know she cares a lot” — I have the same thoughts when my teen reacts similarly because I was that way too. For my husband, feelings flow more freely, so he’s more likely to misinterpret their reactions, which can snowball into a bigger misunderstanding and hurt feelings. Now, he understands the mismatch in how they process feelings, and he doesn’t take it personally. Really good point to share. And, as always, dreamy post still grounded in realism. I love how you mix those two elements!
Oh, yeah. The potential to snowball! off. And oh! I like this description - dreamy posts grounded in realism. Thank you for that!
This piece is studded with gold! Your perspective is so very beautiful. Age really is a gift isn’t it. I notice as I age that I likewise take in life from a place of simultaneous distance and intimacy. It’s really striking, this vantage point, this acceptance.
Love your writing and your heart. Love the nun who found her wild. That hits. Glorious— good on her 🤍
I wish I remembered the nun's name. But there were a number of nuns at the school. I still remember what she looks like. So spunky with short curly hair. A real character.
You and your generously shared perspective remain my guiding light as to what life could look like some years in the future.
As you know, I'm about 7-8 years behind you in parenting, and at an inflection point with my 13 and (almost) 10yos where I can see glimpses of how our family may be in the future that are just as vivid as my memories of them 7 years ago as sticky toddlers and grade-schoolers.
Thanks for highlighting a path that is so thoughtful and loving -- it is so valuable to witness.
These are very crucial ages in development. Your family is going to go through so much - and a lot of it will be very positive, good things. I can see that now that I have some distance. 💕
Whew, I loved this one, Jenna.
🫶 Thanks so much, Kim! 😘
Such a soulful piece… I feel like I’m navigating the aging thing right now with my own parents. I needed to read this today, thanks Jenna!
Hi Michael! I’m so glad this essay found you today then. Cheers 🥰
I am in that same stage as you. Have already lost one parent while mentally preparing for the day when I lose the other while simultaneously witnessing my own aging through my grown children’s eyes. You nailed it about the fear of them coming face to face with their parents’ mortality. Regardless of the physicalities, whether appearance or health-based, I think it’s seeing the vulnerability of their parents that undoes them. (I know it did for me with mine.)
I hear you, Leslie. I’ve lost one parent already too (3 total if counting in-laws). This is something we all face and it was like a light turned on when I realized that my kids are starting to experience the very beginnings of that reality. We’re still young, but there is no doubt that the health issues are starting to stack up. The circle of life!
I've visited London every year for the past 10 years on a February or March (I showed up in 2020 in early February) to watch the football there as an annual birthday gift and I loved getting to the see the city through your and your family's eyes here. I'll keep those parenting thoughts filed in the back of my mind if I ever get the opportunity to be one. Sorry you experienced some physical pain and heartache for part of your visit, but yeah, the silver lining was getting to have those conversations with your children about this transition period in life for all of you. Cheers!
What an annual birthday gift! I did go back since that very first trip when I was 17, but it was still 22 years ago before I had the kids. Still, in the 22 years the thing that changed that was most noticeable was the food and all the food halls. So many diverse choices now! We ate so well. 🥰
"That trip changed my young life. I was so thrilled to be there and it felt like a dream. The place where my all favorite bands hailed from, where I breathed in inspiration for everything." Perfect way to capture visiting Europe at that age! (I lived in Vienna and travelled to Italy, Czechoslovakia, Zurich, Denmark, Paris, Ireland, Wales & London with my family, aged 17-18.)
I STILL remember that feeling even now. All the wonder, excitement. We didn’t travel growing up, so this trip was so important. I was thinking the other day, however, now that the world is more globally accessible with the internet and social media, whether that same thrill of new experiences is a tiny bit less. Nothing beats first-hand experiences, but I had nothing but a few books to prep me for what to expect. Do you know what I mean?
Absolutely! Also, I think the fact that we couldn’t communicate with folks back home (except, you know, by air mail letter) made it a lot more immersive.
This piece hit home over and over. My own family on the brink of a new stage as my oldest looks at colleges, my own parents aging, the family dynamics brought to the surface without familiar surroundings, cues, routines. And London holds a special place in my heart. This is one of my favorite reads today. Thank you, Jenna.
Maria, thank you ☺️. And good luck on the whole college thing. It’s a journey!
I loved your photos! It looks just like the London I love so much.
🥰
Wow. The real time realization I came to while reading this. The bit about how easy it is for some to comfort outsiders but find it difficult to comfort their loved ones. That was me thinking of my daughter 30. Then later realizing to her I too am getting older 51. This is normally something I would think about after losing my dad and watching my mom as she gets older. I hadn’t thought about how my own children may have the same reservations about me. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve enjoyed your content since your days on Etsy as a baker. That’s how many moons ago I have been following your work.
Hello! I remember you! And so glad to see your comment today 💕
I let this sit in my inbox for a week before I opened it. I'm glad I opened it instead of deleting without reading, which I often do, especially as I approach 300 unread emails - almost all from mailing lists. The writing is gorgeous. So rich and multisensory and lives up to the Substack's name. I want to keep it as inspiration, as an example of the kind of writing I strive toward.
Hi Andrea. I'm glad you opened it today, thank you. 😊
The writing and feelings in this, along with the photos, is beautiful. I wasn't ready for the turn in the middle, of you realizing the possible root of your daughter's apprehensive behavior when you got sick. It's probably harder seeing the reality of your parent's mortality as a teenager because there's still so many other changes going on with them and within the family. Great piece!
It was such a big revelation! I was a few years older than my kids are when my mom was ill with her first major surgery that took 9 months to recover. She was younger than I am now - I think 48, which is wild to think about. But man, I am feeling my age the last two years. This trip really proved that I can’t push my body like that anymore :(
Yeah, when your body starts telling you that you aren't as young as your mind thinks, that can be tough realization. We have to accept these things and make adjustments, but it can still take a while.