Clearwater

Spent a relaxing day at the Clearwater Music Festival, yesterday. We were invited by a family we've started to become very friendly with. Our boys have been going to the same school, attend the same Hebrew School, went to the same camp, but it has taken awhile for parents to get as chummy. They are the ones we had the 3rd seder with. Our time together has been surprisingly fun and over the past few months, there have now been bike rides, hikes, dinners.... Maybe it comes from a better place that our relationships haven't been so fast to develop.

This morning, hubby went on an early morning bike ride with the dad.  Jake and I greeted them at our doorstep and as we were talking, Jake had his arms around me. As the dad said goodbye, he whispered cryptically out his window at me. "Just remember, it's not your stress."

I was surprised and flabbergasted at the unexpected comment. He had obviously overheard my phone conversation with hubby on their ride home. I knew exactly what he was talking about without his having to say a word more. And it's profound, come to think of it.

What is going on with Jake is HIS stress. And I have to remember that. I am here to help him and do anything and everything I can to help him, but it helps no one for me to internalize his stress as my own. It's his stress.