I never ran among hills of wildflowers as a kid. Or at least I don't think I did. Yet when I see the hills surrounding my house every spring my heart skips a beat. The last thing in the world that I want to do is sit inside and sew. So I don't. Instead I indulge my children with their requests for picnic tea parties and nature hikes. And it's worth it. Every single second.
Because sometimes the world just seems like a scary place, a sad place, a
place with just not enough goodness in it. Yet when I'm out with my
kids experiencing Spring in the San Francisco East Bay, the world just
seems so amazingly perfect.
And I guess I'm not the only one that feels that way. Lu ran to the top of one of the hills near our house and said (while putting her arms up flexing her muscles), "I am brave. I am strong." Pure happiness was gushing from this girl.
All I could think about in that moment was how much I hope she always defines herself as brave and strong. At 6, I see her beginning to define herself as she tries to figure out the world and her place in it. She tells me things like, "Mom, when are we going to learn about the girl presidents in school? I'm tired of learning about the boy ones!" She learns more and more about history, often remarking things like, "Well why in the world did they think/do that?"
It's a crazy, wild ride being a parent. It's a crazy world we live in....but it's a beautiful one too.
So today I just feel like I'm trying to focus on the beautiful things in the world. Wildflowers. Quality time with my girls. Even a little bit of quiet time where I play with watercolors as I replay the whole afternoon in my head.
What about you all? Anyone else share my thoughts this week? I'd love to hear what's on your mind!
XOXO,
Jill
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