true, kind, necessary

This girl can be so helpful. Yesterday she helped tidy up all the toys and even folded all her doll clothes. This girl is getting so big. Yesterday she did forward rolls all the way across the mat at gymnastics. This girl can be so thoughtful. Tonight she wanted a thorough explanation of why there is more darkness in winter than in summer. This girl can be so kind. This morning she offered an earnest backrub when she knew I woke up feeling achy.

Every day I remind myself that she is her surroundings and her surroundings are us. We are the models for so much of what she will become. We reap what we sow, right?

Almost always I remind myself this in her not so shiny moments, when I am steeped in guilt for my tone of voice, or my harsh impatience and see it reflecting back at me.

It's a good reminder, I guess. I read somewhere once that a parent should work to ensure that everything that comes out of their mouth is true, kind and necessary. I've got a way to go on all three counts.

But tonight, after a weekend full of normal ups and downs, I wanted to remember that this girl is not only growing into such an amazing, beautiful person; she is also helping me grow, in ways that are more challenging than I ever imagined. I'm thankful for that. And in addition to taking credit for many of her darker moments, we should celebrate ourselves in some of her beauty.