The
term “adult orphan” may not be a familiar one to many people. Some know what it feels like, know what it
means and realize it is a term that redefines one’s place in the world and in
your family. It may be looked at as a
rite of passage just like the birth of one’s first child or such things as
graduating from school and entering the work force. An adult orphan is a label we may use for
ourselves after both our parents have died.
In
my case my dad died in 2002 and mom died seven years ago this week. I miss them both everyday. In many cases
adult orphans take on a role their parents once held, that of a senior member
of one’s clan or family. The people you
may have turned to for their opinion or insight or support are now gone. The younger members of your family turn to
you now for such things.
As
I reflect on life as an adult orphan I do so with a sense of poignancy, longing
and much joy. When my father died it was
a surreal time in my life and was new emotional territory for me. When my mother died so did a gentleness and
security I had experienced throughout my life that I would never experience
again this side of heaven.
When
I became an adult orphan something perhaps I took for granted when I was
younger came to light. I didn’t always
have a deep love for my father as I did my mother. As time went on and I gained a level of
maturity I came to accept that I would love my dad for who he was. My mother was always easy to love.
As
my parents older years caught up with them I also appreciated them more as
dearly loved people. The commandment to
“Honour your father and mother…”
(Ex. 21:12) took on a poignancy I never
considered before. As their health
declined and death came I also felt the reality of the fact if we love deeply
we will also grieve deeply.
My
parents weren’t perfect and neither did they ever claim to be. As I reflect on what they taught me about
life I have come to appreciate that not being perfect is okay, in fact, it is
typical of us all. We are however to
take our responsibilities, such as being parents, very seriously and with
loving devotion to our children.
Today
as an experienced adult orphan I live with great thanks to God for giving me my
parents. I recognize I have similarities
to both of them in me. I am aware I can
be opinionated like my dad but without his intensity. I also recognize I have some of my mom’s
characteristics that soften my personality and allow me to have an empathy for
other people.
Many
times when I am writing I sense closeness to my parents. This prompts a longing in me to see them
again. As an adult orphan who is
attempting to be a writer I try to honour my parents through a sense of
vulnerability, transparency and stark truth.
This evokes a deep joy within me for I know my parents would be proud of
each word I write.
My
dear writer friends, I pray God’s direction and blessing on you. I’m sure your parents are proud of you. I know I am!
