giving thanks

If you can believe it, Thanksgiving has come and gone. Even though I don’t only think about my blessings during the holiday, it is certainly a time of reflection. I feel that when you have a child you contemplate on the traditions you want to start, continue or even skip… you think about what might make a lasting and positive impression on this little being. Many a time did I start a statement with, “when I have a child, I will” and when I think back to those moments, I find myself in a surreal place, thinking about myself as a mother and trying to figure out what to do next. It is during these moments that I count my blessings.

While I want my little Lola to have a great education, travel the world and afford her the opportunity to try new things, I also want her to understand that these are luxuries that we don’t all have. I want her to realize that there’s much sharing to be done and it’s our responsibility as human beings to care for one another. For this reason, we have adopted a new Thanksgiving tradition in our home. Every year, as the special day nears, we will take a moment to go through our clothes, books and toys and set some apart for donation to those less fortunate. Although I don’t think that she fully understands what’s going on, I do believe that if we can teach a toddler to share, we can teach them to give away.  Selfless acts will help shape an empathetic soul and, as a mother, there is pride in that.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last couple of years is that it takes a village to raise a child and I’ve been blessed with unconditional support from my family and friends and for that, I am beyond grateful. I’ve been blessed with this little person that fills my heart in an unimaginable way and for a husband that has been truly supportive of my journey. As I think about my life, there is much for me to be thankful.

xoxo