As parents we all work out butts off to provide for our kids with everything they need and more love than they could ever understand (at least until they have their own kids). Some days it’s really, really challenging. This summer I’ve had more than my fair share of those challenging days. It’s just a tough juggle now with working at home, kids who seem to eat more food every week (my wallet hurts), travel, and lots of health challenges. Then there are the errands and to dos. It feels like all the things that should take a few minutes are taking an hour or more, and I’m spending a lot of time doing-but not much to show for it at the end of the day. It’s exactly how parenting is most days actually. In the thick of it we’re busy, we’re doing, but we don’t often get to stand back and see the results of our work and love.
All those sacrifices are worth it, we know. And there are days where it pays off tenfold. All the hard work, tears (theirs and yours), all the love, and all the time you pour into their little souls means something magical happens. And all you had to do was show up.
This week we had one of those moments. Between doctor’s appointments, calls, a broken toe (my daughter’s), a road trip, all the chaos, and plenty of good food and laughter this happened.
Aidan learned to ride a bike.
Maybe I’m just sappy because he’s my youngest. Maybe it’s because there are so few of these big milestones that happen when kids get older. But I teared up seeing him ride for the first time. Seeing the joy on his face, the determination to get it right, even the frustration he experienced when he was learning was so rewarding.
He’s been at it for a few days now, and I managed to capture this shot of him zooming down the street.
Now that he knows how to ride he has a newfound freedom. On that he earned with a couple of falls, some tears (mine), and a lot of getting back up again.
It’s really a metaphor for what I want all my kids to learn in life.
Kelly
