Children

To all the parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and caretakers:

Our children are put here to teach us the most ultimate form of love. They are the people that we would make any sacrifice for. They teach us we are capable of an unyielding patience for someone when they make mistakes. They show us how powerfully potent words spoken to another can be. And at least in my case they have taught me that each day is an opportunity to become a better version than I was before. Through the sometimes seemingly endless trials of all ages, the moments of raw and beautiful bliss that forever imprint our minds, and the basic day-to-day, they teach us. It can become such a monumental bond that is meant to be retold for generations. Children give us the insight to look deeper into the universe with absolute passion.  They are the ultimate form of life altering experience. Regardless of the amount of physical time we have with them they always hold space in our mind, heart, and reality.

It is part of the human condition to choose self-preservation by any means necessary. Yet, when we are faced with the decision of the health and safety of a child we choose the child over ourselves. The desire to allow our bloodline to thrive is not only primal, but what drives the human race. Not to say that all adults will choose the life of a child’s over their own, but when one does we seize the opportunity to comprehend the definition of sacrifice. This is one of the many facets of love.

Children encourage us to be genuine, to abandon concern and live in the moment. Through their laughter, tears, and even angry outbursts they teach us that to be human is to feel these emotions, and that these emotions flow within us like a river. That in and of itself is absolutely beautiful. They remind us to dance, be silly, and to be authentic. This fervent authenticity allows us to comprehend not only how beautiful they are, but how beautiful we all are. This is another facet of love.

Children from the moment of conception require our energy and attention for basic survival. The sleepless nights tending to, providing for, or thinking about them are done without hesitation, and this shows us our true capacity of giving. This not only teaches us of the giving we are capable of, but of the blind trust that they are capable of. A child trusts you with their very existence, and does so without fear or hesitation. This shows us the capability of the heart and mind to trust, we all have that capability. To have this experience we learn that our love is a bottomless well that we give of freely and that does not fear what another might do to it. This is the true human capacity for giving and trusting one another, and yet another facet of love.

One of the most profound lessons that we learn is that of self-love. We learn that while we would do anything for our children, we cannot give them our best if we also don’t take care of ourselves. As future men and women they look to us to understand what that means in every aspect. We lead them by not just our words, but our actions. If we do not show ourselves love and respect, how can we expect them to comprehend the significance of being well, happy, and balanced? Though this can be a hard lesson at times, when we embrace it we become better people for our children to follow. This facet of love envelopes all others to create the truest form of love. Love is giving, trusting, sacrificing, authentic, and is never takes from you, but builds you up. If we were to take a mere fraction of this and share it with others, we will build each other up. The ultimate lesson is that we are all capable of loving at this magnitude, and that we should.

When we are blessed with the opportunity to help raise a child, we are forever changed for the better. I thank my children for blessing me with the oppurtunity to learn these lessons with them.