It is a beautiful Spring day in New England. Flowers are blooming. Sun is shining. People are alive! I love this time of year. It also causes me to be quite reflective. That feeling of being alive and vital always makes me appreciate all that I have.
This week Olivia turned 5. I was emotionally prepared for it but didn't expect that I would look at her differently. I see the end of so many things. The end of her innocence. The end of her free days as she prepares to enter school. The end of our relationship with our nanny who has been with us since she was born. I also see the start of so many things. The start of real independence. The start separation. The start of new social circles. I celebrate and mourn with it all. This is, in part, what it means to be a parent.
This week we celebrated Joe's birthday. A first for my little tribe. Joe has been blending in and becoming a a part of in such natural and beautiful ways. It was great to see him and the kids decorate cupcakes. For the kids to give him presents and for him to respond with gifts and appreciation. I have a partner that relishes the role children play in the family and doesn't feel slighted that focus may be constantly shifting from one to another.
Michael has been striving to achieve new levels of freedom and to do so has taken on greater responsibility and has been working harder on his relationship with his sister. I am seeing the man he is becoming. The startling fact is that I didn't expect this to emerge so early, but there it is. He is forming in front of my eyes and I am enthralled at what I see.
So today, I am taking a moment from my busy day to say that with all the stress, anxiety, frustration and worry....Spring has sprung and so have I.
This week Olivia turned 5. I was emotionally prepared for it but didn't expect that I would look at her differently. I see the end of so many things. The end of her innocence. The end of her free days as she prepares to enter school. The end of our relationship with our nanny who has been with us since she was born. I also see the start of so many things. The start of real independence. The start separation. The start of new social circles. I celebrate and mourn with it all. This is, in part, what it means to be a parent.
This week we celebrated Joe's birthday. A first for my little tribe. Joe has been blending in and becoming a a part of in such natural and beautiful ways. It was great to see him and the kids decorate cupcakes. For the kids to give him presents and for him to respond with gifts and appreciation. I have a partner that relishes the role children play in the family and doesn't feel slighted that focus may be constantly shifting from one to another.
Michael has been striving to achieve new levels of freedom and to do so has taken on greater responsibility and has been working harder on his relationship with his sister. I am seeing the man he is becoming. The startling fact is that I didn't expect this to emerge so early, but there it is. He is forming in front of my eyes and I am enthralled at what I see.
So today, I am taking a moment from my busy day to say that with all the stress, anxiety, frustration and worry....Spring has sprung and so have I.
I love this. I have no doubt about the amazing man Michael is to become as he has such a wonderful, strong role model. Your children are both so... you - in their own unique versions, of course!
ReplyDelete