My daughter said two wonderful things to me today. This morning as we were preparing to leave the house. "Mommy, you always look beautiful, but today you look 'extra' beautiful." And then on the way to school, she said "Mommy, you know all the kisses that you and daddy give me? Do you know where I keep them? In my heart."
Out of the blue, my child can just floor me with her sweetness and sensitivity. It's moments like these that make me so proud, and help me realize that while not a perfect parent, I am raising her right. It also brings to mind the "nurture vs. nature" theory. We adopted her when she was 10 months old. She already had a personality (and wow, what a personality!). Stubborness, the desire to have things her way, sassy...but also sweet and funny and, after a short rough period, the ability to love with all her heart. Now, as a 5-year-old, she is still all of those things. How much is just 'who she is' versus how much we've raised her to be?
Either way, she is one amazing kid. She can drive me completely batty one minute, and have me in smiles and happy tears the next. My husband said to me before we adopted, "Parenthood is the best thing to happen to you, and the worst thing to happen to you." It wasn't until I was a parent that I understood. It's not that being a parent is awful, it just adds so many new layers to your life. Less time for yourself and others, more fears and worries about this human that you're now responsible for. Uncertainties and insecurities. But then there's the love, the cuddles, the kisses, the triumphs. And I wouldn't change it for the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment