My Daughter's Heart is Breaking

 Heartbreaks are so hard to deal with and we've all experienced them at one time or another.  Watching my own child experience one takes it on a whole higher level of pain that is so indescribable.  Last week was rough for my daughter and the weekend was nothing but tears and sadness.  Something happened at school last week which caused Brianna's best friend of many years to say she no longer wanted to be her friend.  This is a girl she had hopes of growing up with and experiencing many parts of life together.  Now her world has been shattered because of the influence of someone else, another girl who is disrespectful and rude.  

As the boys were camping with the scouts it was just us girls for the weekend.  Even between crying her face just looked so down and worn.  As much as I tried to cheer her up I was also feeling the pain with her.  I spent so much time crying and asking God for help.  The innocent elementary school days of playing dolls are over.  Now that the girls are in middle school they are maturing at different speeds.  Brianna seems to still have those childish ways that her friend is done with.  She's hanging with a crowd of girls that swear and talk disrespectfully to others.  Brianna is better off without them.  But it still hurts.  

I've been trying to talk to her about how I understand her pain.  I've been through it in my middle and high school years.  The pain she is feeling is a pain I'm feeling too.  I want to make it better for her but I know I can't.  I know that this is something that will be part of her story; the thing that helps her to grow stronger and learn from.  All I can do is be there to listen and give support.  On Saturday we took a trip to my parents where we fed some ducks at the lake and my dad treated us for dinner at Friendly's.  Friday and Saturday night we snuggled up on the couch and watched movies.  On Friday night I could hear the sounds from the homecoming game a mile away.  I knew her friend was there having fun with her friends while my girl was at home feeling an incredible amount of pain.  

On Sunday I treated her to a fruit refresher and muffin at a local coffee shop before church.  She joined me in the chapel and it was good to hear a sermon talk about how God allows hurt because there is something better waiting for us.  

I actually managed to get a smile for the picture.  

This morning I watched as the girls stood at the bus stops, quite a few feet apart staring down at their phones and not acknowledging each other.  After my morning van run I went home and prayed for her and cried heavily.  Then she texted me saying she wished it was the end of the week.  So that tells me her day is not going well.  

I had told her we don't know what the future will bring.  Maybe the girls will find their way back to each other at some point.  Maybe there's a reason they will no longer be the friends they had hoped to continue being.  Regardless, right now she is hurting.  She's struggling to enjoy the school days and it's no fair.  Even though she has other friends, sweeter people I'd much rather see her with, she's still sad.  She also deals with random bullies and that makes it even worse.  

I don't know why this is affecting me so much but it is.  I've felt so much pain that it has caused my chest to hurt and I'll cry every chance I get.  Parenting is tough in these moments.  I just want my kids to be happy but it's always something, if not with one kid than the other.  At this time last year my son was struggling with school.  My daughter also had her struggles but this year she's really having a hard time.  Now she's facing those hard times without the one girl who always had her back.  

I know this season will pass but in the meantime it really sucks.  If you believe in prayer I ask that you please lift one up for her.  It would be highly appreciated.