Falling deeper
When our children are born, we have an awakening of how much deeper we can love another human being. So much more than your partner or spouse, parent or grandparent and up until then, they were whom you loved the most.
We deeply fall in love with a tiny human and would give our lives for them in an instant. No moment of hesitation. The lion or lioness comes out in us as we need to defend them.
As they grow in their stages we fall in love with them over and over again. As we hear my favourite sound in the world, of a baby giggling uncontrollably, or they walk to us for the first time with their arms out for a cuddle, we fall deeper in love.
As they smile with teeth missing, get their first party invite, start to create their own fashion style and gain in confidence to freely be who they are, we fall deeper in love.
As they begin to become their own person, confident in doing things their way or openly proud of their accomplishments, deeper.
As they rise above hard lessons they need to experience and learn from as they navigate friendship groups, sporting teams and school dynamics. As they develop a passion for something and pursue it with determination. Deeper in love.
It is true that a car ride with one next to you leads to special moments and open, honest conversation. It’s such an opportunity to connect with them and I appreciate it greatly, every time I get to experience it.
Having conversations with my children these past few weeks I see their self-love increasing, their awareness of the beautiful qualities they possess developing. The empathy and compassion they have for others, their development in understanding why others may be the way they are, and all the while, my smile widens and heart falls deeper in love.
How many times can we fall deeper?
Does it end?
Does it become something different to love as they grow older?
Should we be recording moments to remember and remind in the future?
Are they perfect? No.
Are they good humans? I feel the strong base for this is there and growing.
Is that all our doing? Absolutely not.
My smile grows wider and the love deepens as I watch them grow into the humans they wish to be. I can’t see that ever fading and if you are further along in the parenting adventure, I’m not sure I want to hear it happens, even if you have that to share.
My role as mother is to ensure they feel safe, secure, loved and valued in our family and the community. Free to pursue life how they desire and to not be limited in their pursuit of happiness. I don’t just do that by telling them. But by showing them and being a living example. By listening, learning, acknowledging my fault, failure, success and triumph, changing as I grow.
I’m full of hope these no longer tiny humans, will share their bright light and energy with the world for as long as they’re a part of it. And my greatest hope is that this is for many many years to come. Long after I am gone.
