This is a new part of my life no one warned me about.

No one told me my parents would turn into our closest friends. No one explained we might have to have boundaries with my in-laws. I never had a single person share their real experience with me. I only saw their best photos and happiest experiences on social media. I read books about moms and daughters. I saw dads and sons on television. They were watching football, getting manicures or simply hanging out. I watched a lot of the Hallmark channel.

There were always issues which were quickly resolved. Not one of those public things indicated being the adult child would be hard. No one told me how much grace would be needed in both directions. No one talked about the private things. No one seemed to understand how important a heads up may be for all of us.

Here is your official heads up.

Remember when adult life was new and fresh?

Remember when you first got married, moved into an apartment, started your career or had your first baby?

Everything was shiny and new and your hopes for the future were broad. No one wanted to burst your bubble, so they didn’t.  This is mercy. Trust me when I say, if you knew going into this process what I know now, you may decide to run away and never return.

Here is the newsflash-in some aspects, being an adult child is no different than being a child. These are the easy things.

• You are still required to be obedient to a degree. (when dad says please take out the trash you take it out)
• You still need to be respectful. (no cussing in front of mom.)
• If you want to borrow something, you still need to ask. (This covers tools, kitchen appliances, and        cars )
• When you are disrespectful, it still hurts your mom’s feelings (maybe even more now that you are an adult)
• When you choose to do questionable things, your parents are going to be critical. ( these include legal and illegal activities)
• When you need disciplined, they may actually do it. (this is new for them as well, and they may be saving you long-term trouble)

In my experience, these were the easiest things to deal with. The hard stuff hit me like a train. For example, when my mom got sick and almost died. We found out quickly what being “one in a million” for health risks meant. When dad had his aortic heart valve replaced. One long day of surgery- many long days of recovery.

Both of these instances were followed by hurt feelings, feelings of abandonment and some anger on the part of my parents. They expected more from us than we realized. I was having a hard time because of the choices I had to make. I worked full time, had four kids and my husband worked full time. Trying to find a balance between caring for my parents and caring for my family was a tremendous amount of stress. Choices I didn’t want to make were being demanded from me.

Helping my parents through grief was another really hard thing. My maternal grandfather died, years later my paternal grandmother. My parents handled these very differently. In the end, both were difficult for me to witness. I learned how to and how not to grieve in healthy ways. I didn’t know how to be helpful.

Then out of nowhere, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. This was the catalyst for me to be the adult once and for all. I didn’t know how to feel, and I didn’t know who to turn to. Dad was my go-to person when I felt weak. I couldn’t go to him this time. I couldn’t go to mom either. They were already suffering enough. I needed a plan, and I had nothing. (not discounting my amazing husband at all- he is my earthly rock)

This is where the “How to Be an Adult Child Manual” would have been helpful. The level of emotion I was dealing with was tremendous. The rollercoaster of events which shaped this part of my adulthood is something I still cannot get my brain wrapped around. It is not reconcilable for me.

Pair this with the boundaries we had to draw, and my world felt like it was spinning out of control.

Why didn’t someone tell me how hard it would be? When…

• Chemotherapy started for my dad.
• Mom was afraid to leave his side out of fear.
• Family trickled in to visit.
• Dads career long co-workers didn’t know how near death he was, and I worked with them every            single day, keeping his promise of privacy.
• My adult kids and almost adult kids had milestones, and my parents missed them.
• The oncologist gave us the devastating news of finality
• My grandchildren wanted their Papaw.
• He passed away and his suffering was over, but mine had just begun.
• Mom got sick again and was near death.

Simply put, who wants to talk about these kinds of things? No one wants to be a Debbie-downer. Couple this with friends who didn’t have any experience with it. Add on all those well-meaning people who want to see the glass half full all the time. Traditionally, we don’t speak of the hard or the bad stuff which happens in our lives.

We don’t talk about surviving- or not surviving a disease. We don’t talk about suffering or fighting or being obedient. We don’t write books about the hard things, we don’t share testimony about the devastating news. We don’t acknowledge the truth because, on some level, the truth feels like it binds you instead of setting you free.

What I want is to give you a heads-up. I want to tell you there will be bad stuff. But it is all laced with the wondrous grace given to us by Jesus. It is covered by him, no matter the suffering of your mind, heart, and soul. He has a plan. You are part of it, and so is your suffering. Your role as an adult child is a wonderful thing.

Go hug your parents.

They need to know you love them no matter what.

Unconditionally, exactly how they love you.