Love isn’t grand gestures, flowery platitudes, or mountains of toys. Love doesn’t require self-sacrifice on the part of the giver. Love doesn’t demand service from the recipient.
Love is an accumulation of many little acts.
- A warm lap to land on at the end of a crazy day.
- A look in the eyes that tells them, “I know you. I understand why you feel this way. I will listen.”
- A warm “chocolate milky” every morning, and the ability to ask for a little more chocolate without making mom mad.
- Watching the 9,000th kick flip and yelling encouragement.
- A safe big bed when the shadows on the wall look like ghosts.
- Knowing that she likes less peanut butter and more jam.
- Knowing that he dips absolutely everything in barbecue sauce.
- A readiness to answer questions, no matter the time or the lack of answers.
- Catching his eye at the skate park and mouthing the words, “Olive Juice.”
- Knowing that each of them has different signs that indicate that they are hungry or stressed or tired or over-the-moon happy.
- Allowing them to be who they are without judgments or expectations.
- A note on her pillow saying she’s the most talented girl I know.
- Pouring a bowl of cereal every morning, and tucking them in every night.
Tags: child of narcissist, life, love, Parenting, proactive, survive
Beautiful post. The “olive juice” had me confused for a minute…
Hugs to you and your darlins’
Lovely! Thank you for this post.
Being a mom is so rewarding and so exhausting all at the same time usually. I am so thankful for my children. Your post reminds me of all the moments that make me smile. What I love most of all is when I see my kids practice empathy toward others and sometimes even toward each other : )–that is beautiful!
Reese,
I bet you could add some wonderful things to this list.
*For those who haven’t figured it out… Look in the mirror, and without saying it out loud, mouth the words, “olive juice.” It looks like “I love you.” ;)
Lynn,
We must be kindred spirits because that is truly the thing I love to see most in my kids – empathy.