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This seemed significant to me, especially before Mother's Day, because of how I tend to look at things. Its easy to remember that I cherish my kids. I know I appreciate and love them, and that I am grateful to care for them. Sometimes it's not as easy to remember just how mutual that feeling is. They are remembering the details that are significant to them and if I slow down often enough, I will get to see some sweet moments.
I recently read an article about kids that I appreciated. My favorite line was, "Kids are not as resilient as we like to believe." Yes, some things go over their heads, yes some things seem not to phase them, but they truly are fragile and in search of loving, gentle guidance. We desperately need to be there for these young souls. As mothers, fathers, family members, and even just as adults we all have this opportunity. There is some child near us who could use a playdate, someone to make them feel special, someone to encourage them, someone to listen when no one else will (the list could go on). A few months ago I was playing with my kids and some of their friends, and as we cleaned up, my arm bumped the arm of a little girl. She said, "I wish my arm was light like yours, my skin is so dark and ugly." I looked at her and said, "You my friend, have incredible and naturally dark skin. Do you know how hard I try to get dark in the summer time??" We talked a bit more about how wonderful she was and how everyone looks at things differently. Maybe she, as a seven year old, completely forgot about that conversation an hour later. Or maybe it encouraged her, took a load off her shoulders, or gave her some peace about her appearance. Its my hope and prayer that I keep an eye out for these conversations with my own kids and with the kids of others.
I know SO MANY moms, dads, teachers, and many other adults who I admire, and believe they are doing an incredible job parenting and guiding young ones. To each of them, even if your not the mother, Happy Mother's Day! Also, to each of you, keep on with what you are doing, and allow yourself to be encouraged in the fact that you are cherished and loved. As you work in the hearts of the kids you are with constantly, there may be another close by who desperately needs that extra extension of love. It doesn't have to be adoption, there are plenty of ways to make a huge difference in the life of a child and what we reap will be beyond our greatest imaginations.