Nachas: A Yiddish word that means joy and blessings, especially from one’s children or grandchildren. Definitely one of those words we could really use in English.
A friend of mine used to tell me about the latest trials and tribulations with his grown children and joke—“I’ve been a father for 30 years and I’m still waiting for the nachas.”
And it’s a funny thing about life– troubles seem to come in waves, all piling up at the same time. But sometimes the same thing happens with nachas—Like right now.
I’m on my way to one of the milestone moments in parenthood—and I’m packing….tissues.
I cry at commercials, movies, books, songs on the radio, reading blog posts, writing blog posts.
When my kids graduated pre-school, I sobbed. Both times. I loved the place, and couldn’t imagine me them leaving it behind.
Of course they moved on. And there have been other graduations since—Kindergarten. Grammar school. Middle school. High school.
Oddly, come to think of it, since pre-school I haven’t shed a tear as my kids collected their various diplomas. And I don’t expect to be crying this weekend.
More likely I’ll be laughing– at one of those jokes from the universe.
With two kids, spaced almost five years apart, it never occurred to me that I’d be attending both of their college graduations in the same week—(click here and here for the back story)— of course, on opposites sides of the country.
Tomorrow I’m heading out to the first one.
And since I’m dealing in Yiddish words, I’ll also say poo poo poo and toss some electronic salt over my shoulder….( it didn’t escape my notice that I’m traveling on Friday the 13th.)
Obviously any college graduation is emotional, a huge turning point for both parents and kids, and especially meaningful for me; but right now I have nothing to say…. nothing but nachas.
I might even cry.
Congratulations to A & D!!!!!