These two people are my world. MY WORLD. And I have absolutely no doubt they know it deep in their soul. But I also know, just as deep in MY soul, that I could do a better job of making sure they feel it.
Sure, I help them with their homework. Yes, I make their breakfasts, their lunches and their dinners. I let them have the extra cupcake every once in a while, I read to them, wash their uniforms, cheer from the sidelines, snuggle with them and tuck them in to bed every night I possibly can.
But, in my quest to be better – I know I’m not just changing how I have been taking care of myself – (Day 2 meant baby steps towards exercise – and I did it… and while it is hardly a race to the finish, I’m HAPPY I started!) I’m making decisions that effect my soul. No one touches my soul as my small people do. My commitment for Day 3 of my 90 Day Challenge to be better was to make joy a priority with my small people. Today this meant listening every time they wanted me to watch. It meant playing every time they wanted me to play. It meant holding them when they needed me and embracing all that it means to be the mother of a six and eight year old – who doesn’t happen to be doing ANYTHING except focusing on her small people.
I know I can’t sit and stare at them 24 hours a day. But I can put a couple of rules in place: I won’t ever say ‘I will be with you in a minute’ more than twice. And I can set hours for the time I spend with them vs. the time I’m supposed to be working. And, when I’m on vacation, like I am right now – I will be present. Fully present.
We’re on a Royal Caribbean Cruise with Fisher Price (what better example for PLAY could I possibly have?) Embracing every second of this is my priority.
Today, I swam. I laughed. I snacked. I said yes every time I was asked to search for shells, to float in the ocean, to climb that impossible floating inflatable ‘thing’ and to find an extra towel. And my reward: this smile, this love, I simply can’t do without.
Day 3 (and beyond?) SO. WORTH. IT.
