When things get a bit crazy (as they have lately), I'm so thankful for the ability to stop and assess the situation. I ask myself, "how did I react differently the last time this happened?" "Was there, is there, a better way to handle it?" Surely there is, and I have. Under calmer circumstances, when I had a clearer mind, perhaps a smaller pile of laundry, maybe a shower within the last 72 hours...I vaguely remember handling that moment of fierce, strong, 3 year-old will a little, um, more...well, adult-like. I surely did not have a mini-tantrum in the kitchen in front of my 12 year-old over dishes and microbiology homework, did I?The thing I am most thankful for on days, weeks, months like these is the ability to stop. Think. Analyze. Use all my past experiences and heartbreaks and mistakes and triumphs as examples, and try again! We get to try again every. single. day. What a gift. Every day we wake up and get to choose who we will be, how we will treat people, how we will treat ourselves. If we don't like who we were yesterday, we can change it.
So, back to my three.
Littlest: You are 3 years, and 10 months. Each day you become exponentially more independent than the day before. I remind myself 38756388463628 times a day not to squash that independence, even if it means walking (running) out the door 10 (18) minutes later than I hoped. I have come up with clever ways to help without the appearance of helping you. You love sequins, purple, and hello kitty. You do art each and every day, and you are SO GOOD at it! You are fabulous and your sweetness and outrageous-ness put a smile on everyone's face. You surely make me crazy several times a day, and I love every minute of you.
Middlest: You, my friend, are 12 years and 10 months. Almost a teenager, on every level. You would spend every minute possible in your room if I let you, and some days I'm tempted to let you...but then I remind myself that the best anecdote for your moodiness is usually some silly time with me and your sis. You are and always have been a whirling, twirling, silly sweet girl. "Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song..." School is the hard part right now. But! Today I had a thought, and we will talk about it...we will just keep looking for what you love and when we find it, you will devour it. Getting good grades is NOT how you earn my love. Being born got you that, so I promise to make sure you know every day that your grades do not define you. Never. You make everyone smile with your kindness and silliness. You're the pied piper of little kids...they love you. And so do I.
Biggest: You are almost 21...You work harder at school than I have ever worked at anything, I think. (except being the mom...I do work so hard at that). You make me proud every single day, and you are my favorite grown up to spend time with. One day you will be a fantastic landscape architect, you already are. People love to be around you, you are sure of yourself and silly and just such a good friend. You have never given me a minute of grief (except that one time when you were 3? And I told you to go to your room? I still remember that day...) I thank you for that, and your sisters curse you for it. How can they follow in those footsteps? I just can't wait to see where you go in life, what you become. I can't wait to come sit on your couch with you and your family and have a cup of coffee and just be so thankful that I get to be your mom.
You three are such a blessing.
xoxo
Mom
