Word Creation Wednesday

This week's word...

"Suffathering" - A word describing the process (inherent in being a father or a mother) of literally feeling the pain of a son or daughter. There is an invisible connection that forces parents to share in the suffering that their children are going through. It can be the mental stress of a big decision, the hurt that they bear from relationships, or even the pain that follows a bad choice. It is constantly undervalued and misunderstood by children, but is far from imaginary. It's why Simeon said to Mary, the mother of Jesus, "...and a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:35) And to think I never believed my dad when he said, "This is going to hurt me more than it does you..."