
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
~Morrie Schwartz
I recently had an early morning six hour flight separate me from my family. A solitary 360 minutes with my thoughts, though I was surrounded by a sea of people that rippled out from seat 14A. And what does a mother do with that much time away from rousing choruses of “Mama? Mama! Mama?”
She thinks.
About being a mama and what that really means. About what my kids are learning and what traditions they’ll remember and recall to their friends and family years from now. About the fact that since the inception of my own family, I might have been home for Thanksgiving one time, although in all honesty, I can’t even remember. And though we celebrate in other ways, usually with a week-early traditional dinner with all the trimmings, some kid’s wine to cheers to (which my kids loved this year, by the way… with Brayden catching on and wanting to cling his cup without pausing for a sip, or a break to eat), and a beautiful hand-drawing of each of our faces by Aliyah as our place cards… It makes me wonder if they understand what this truly is all about. We may take turns voicing what we’re thankful for, have a countertop full of library books about the first Thanksgiving and read about the importance of family over stuff as we sort through some of the things we’d love to give to someone else that needs it more than we do, but do they get it?
I think those are thoughts that always linger in the minds and hearts of those who’ve loved someone from birth, and even well before that – who are charged with the responsibility of raising another human, another life. But I think more important than all the teaching and the training, is loving. Real loving. And learning how to receive it back. Because when those soft little hands pretzel their way into the shape of a heart, and a tiny voice calls out, “mama” until I turn around and see round eyes waiting for my response over upturned lips, I know they’re learning how to love, and they’re teaching me to let it come in. And when that happens, we can all love others better, we give freely, we forgive quicker, we ask forgiveness sooner, we’re thankful more.
They’re starting to getting it, and I think I am too.

Hannah says
Beautiful Post! It is really amazing how much we as parents learn from our children! The whole process of parenting really makes you look at ourselves, and the world around us so differently, it is one crazy and amazing adventure. Hope your sunday is wonderful!
Ashlee says
<3 Love this!
Kristi says
Such a beautiful post. Parenting changes us forever…makes us deeper and higher. Love that you shared some of your Thanksgiving traditions…all woven together with love.
🙂
Ewa says
I am away from my family, in a different country, but hopefully next year I will go back for good after 13 years
lovely quote!
Jessica says
Beautiful! Well said, mama 🙂
sema says
Thanks for sharing the joy of parenting!
Christina Lusk says
Beautifully expressed and so true. Thanks, Mama.
Nessa says
Scrabbling and late night is usually worth it for more time with the littles.
Stefanie says
Just lovely, Tabitha!
Happy Sunday 🙂
Adrienne says
They really do open us up in more ways than we could have ever imagined! This is so well expressed!
Emily says
The light in this photo is stunning and I love the detail of the water droplets. Thank you for sharing!