Expectations: a four-letter word?

by Donna Ireland
Tom, as I briefly mentioned to you on Sunday, I took a look at the website and read the teens' thoughts. I still think of the words "brutally honest" in describing what I read. Maybe "expectations" should be a four-letter word. It is just so easy to become shackled by wanting the best, being the best, that enjoyment of life is just a fantasy. Life is a struggle, no doubt, and I know, as a teenager of long ago, that I had high -- too high -- expectations. I can't say that I had a lot of pressure from my parents; growing up in a family of six children left little time for any one of us to be singled out for special treament.

Kudos to you and your Journey young people for being bold and letting our parish family know the aches and concerns of our teens. It is sad enough when adults experience burn-out; that it might happen in the teen / young adult years is dreadful.