It's Sunday again that means it's time for one of my favorite things... Sunday Citar!!
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
~Morrie Schwartz
I recently had an early morning six hour flight separate me from my family. A solitary 360 minutes with my thoughts, though I was surrounded by a sea of people that rippled out from seat 14A. And what does a mother do with that much time away from rousing choruses of "Mama? Mama! Mama?"
She thinks.
About being a mama and what that really means. About what my kids are learning and what traditions they'll remember and recall to their friends and family years from now. About the fact that since the inception of my own family, I might have been home for Thanksgiving one time, although in all honesty, I can't even remember. And though we celebrate in other ways, usually with a week-early traditional dinner with all the trimmings, some kid's wine to cheers to (which my kids loved this year, by the way... with Brayden catching on and wanting to cling his cup without pausing for a sip, or a break to eat), and a beautiful hand-drawing of each of our faces by Aliyah as our place cards... It makes me wonder if they understand what this truly is all about. We may take turns voicing what we're thankful for, have a countertop full of library books about the first Thanksgiving and read about the importance of family over stuff as we sort through some of the things we'd love to give to someone else that needs it more than we do, but do they get it?
I think those are thoughts that always linger in the minds and hearts of those who've loved someone from birth, and even well before that – who are charged with the responsibility of raising another human, another life. But I think more important than all the teaching and the training, is loving. Real loving. And learning how to receive it back. Because when those soft little hands pretzel their way into the shape of a heart, and a tiny voice calls out, "mama" until I turn around and see round eyes waiting for my response over upturned lips, I know they're learning how to love, and they're teaching me to let it come in. And when that happens, we can all love others better, we give freely, we forgive quicker, we ask forgiveness sooner, we're thankful more.
They're starting to getting it, and I think I am too.
Here's where we all share a quote or two... a favorite, a new find, a laugh inducing or tear inducing quote you love this week. (Citar = to quote in Spanish)
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
~Morrie Schwartz
I recently had an early morning six hour flight separate me from my family. A solitary 360 minutes with my thoughts, though I was surrounded by a sea of people that rippled out from seat 14A. And what does a mother do with that much time away from rousing choruses of "Mama? Mama! Mama?"
She thinks.
About being a mama and what that really means. About what my kids are learning and what traditions they'll remember and recall to their friends and family years from now. About the fact that since the inception of my own family, I might have been home for Thanksgiving one time, although in all honesty, I can't even remember. And though we celebrate in other ways, usually with a week-early traditional dinner with all the trimmings, some kid's wine to cheers to (which my kids loved this year, by the way... with Brayden catching on and wanting to cling his cup without pausing for a sip, or a break to eat), and a beautiful hand-drawing of each of our faces by Aliyah as our place cards... It makes me wonder if they understand what this truly is all about. We may take turns voicing what we're thankful for, have a countertop full of library books about the first Thanksgiving and read about the importance of family over stuff as we sort through some of the things we'd love to give to someone else that needs it more than we do, but do they get it?
I think those are thoughts that always linger in the minds and hearts of those who've loved someone from birth, and even well before that – who are charged with the responsibility of raising another human, another life. But I think more important than all the teaching and the training, is loving. Real loving. And learning how to receive it back. Because when those soft little hands pretzel their way into the shape of a heart, and a tiny voice calls out, "mama" until I turn around and see round eyes waiting for my response over upturned lips, I know they're learning how to love, and they're teaching me to let it come in. And when that happens, we can all love others better, we give freely, we forgive quicker, we ask forgiveness sooner, we're thankful more.
They're starting to getting it, and I think I am too.
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I would love to have you join the Sunday Citar inspiration and have all of us come to your blog to read what quotes inspire you! Simply write your own post on your blog, link within your post to my blog, and sign up with the linky below, leaving your name and the link directly to your Sunday Citar post. Just click here if any of that sounds confusing. There you'll be able to get the complete rundown, as well as learn how to link back to my blog if you don't already know how. Take a moment a visit at least three of the participants around you... you'll be glad you did!
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Beautiful Post! It is really amazing how much we as parents learn from our children! The whole process of parenting really makes you look at ourselves, and the world around us so differently, it is one crazy and amazing adventure. Hope your sunday is wonderful!
ReplyDelete<3 Love this!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post. Parenting changes us forever...makes us deeper and higher. Love that you shared some of your Thanksgiving traditions...all woven together with love.
ReplyDelete:)
I am away from my family, in a different country, but hopefully next year I will go back for good after 13 years
ReplyDeletelovely quote!
Beautiful! Well said, mama :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the joy of parenting!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed and so true. Thanks, Mama.
ReplyDeleteScrabbling and late night is usually worth it for more time with the littles.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, Tabitha!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday :)
They really do open us up in more ways than we could have ever imagined! This is so well expressed!
ReplyDeleteThe light in this photo is stunning and I love the detail of the water droplets. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete