Parenthood is Sneaky

Parenthood is sneaky. You think you’re just raising a child, teaching this little person how to live and be in this lovely, chaotic world, but in truth, you’re learning and growing right alongside him. If your heart remains open and your mind conscious, you’ll find that parenthood is the ultimate journey of self-discovery and that, through raising this precious being that has been entrusted in your care, you rise to your own fullest potential

Rebecca Eanes

Oprah short video on believing in yourself

From 1994 short film

“This film is a very personal project to me as I made this film in memory of my mom. She was a writer and throughout my childhood she wrote many letters to me on her typewriter in her writing room.  When I was 12 she passed away from cancer. During a family Christmas years later, my aunt passed along to me the last letter that my mom had written to me on April 19th 1994. This film is based on that letter” – Casey Warren

this is your year

This is your year

Laugh from your soul

Beam even bigger

Live in the moment

Stop comparing to others

Be joyous in yourself

Strive for contentment

Add memories, not things

Give with no expectations

Find beauty in simplicity

Live

Laura Winslow Photography

make mistakes

i wish i could show you, when you are lonely or in the darkness, the astonishing light of your own being 
Hafiz

To My Grown Up Son by Alice E. Chase

My hands were busy through the day;

I didn’t have much time to play

The little games you asked me to –

I didn’t have much time for you.

I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook;

But when you’d bring your picture book

And asked me please to share your fun,

I’d say: “a little later, son.”

I’d tuck you in all safe at night,

And hear your prayers, turn out the light,

Then tip-toe softly to the door…

I wish I’d stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past…

A little boy grows up so fast.

No longer is he at your side,

His precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away;

There are no longer games to play.

No good-night kiss, no payers to hear –

That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands, once busy, now are still.

The days are long and hard to fill.

I wish I could go back and do

The little things you asked me to.

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.

Hubert A. Humphrey

The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about.

Unknown

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr.