(9 months a year for 6 years I have written to the women of MOPS@2BC– in our newsletter – this was for May 2012)
Forrest Gump may have thought life was like a box of chocolate because you never know what you are going to get. I agree with good old Forrest, but I would have to say that motherhood is a better take on the unknown. (Heck sometimes I don’t have a clue how even the next 5 minutes are going to go, let alone a whole day, week or month!)
In my life, I can and have made choices and had free will on my side. I could choose to a point what I studied, where I worked, what I ate, how much I slept and who I was with, etc. Motherhood is thrust upon all of us in different ways, but it still hits hard with emotions, love, sleep deprivation and being a little crazy all at the same time. And many times when faced with what decision we need to make for our kids, we feel lost. I know I do. The unknown isn’t always as neat as a chocolate box. It isn’t easy to predict and of course, their temperament and reaction play heavily into each choice.
Many times I feel like I have selected my favorite “chocolate” (a.k.a. my plan or choice), just to have the sudden rush of missing the mark and failing. In failing, I become a better parent. It helps sharpen my awareness and it helps me to relate to my motherhood chocolate box differently. I start identifying the shapes that I like and that also give my child some freedom and independence. Those moments taste like warm caramel wrapped in chocolate. Simply delish.
The harder to swallow moments taste like that coconut nougat that I avoid at all costs and offer to anyone near. We all have those, right?
My prayer for each of us this summer is to enjoy and savor each bite of chocolate with our kids at home and underfoot. They won’t be there long, ladies.
Be good to yourself, so you can be good to your people. Hope to see you over the summer!
Faithfully,
Kristin
boldlyblessed 