When we dropped our son, Mayan, off in August for his freshman year of college in Tempe, AZ at Arizona State University, we had fun writing up a bunch of lovenotes and scattering them throughout his dorm room for him to find >> While our son was off at a meeting…
This summer, he was only home for a (delightful!) two weeks before taking off for an incredible summer in Mexico and Peru.
The day before he left, when Bret and I were out on a run, what did we come home to find? These precious lovenotes from Mayan! Lovenotes on our cabinets, in our fridge and freezer, on mirrors, on our water heater, in our closets, on ceiling fans and doors, hanging above our bed, and so many other places, including one near the dog bowls on the floor for the pups to see. 😉
I have learned so much on my journey of being the luckiest stepmama of this remarkable human being, alongside his two truly extraordinary parents. Now that I have the total honor and joy of bearing witness to his 19-year-old self, I’m appreciating, as much as ever, that sometimes the seeds we plant in those we adore take years to really grow roots within them — but they matter so very much and can end up making all the difference.
To all you wonderful parents who feel stretched in so many ways and give and do so much without often seeing instant results from your amazing efforts, this is just a little lovenote to YOU! All the patience, understanding, generosity, encouragement, love, thoughtfulness, compassion, joy, magic, and wisdom you go above and beyond to show, express, model, and teach — even if you don’t see the direct fruition and effect in the moment — *is* impacting them (probably more than you can possibly imagine!). In other words, what you see in the moment is not a reflection of the totality and enormity of what it will end up meaning to them.
The seeds we plant in the hearts, minds, and spirits of those we love often blossom on their own timelines, not ours. And it’s not just the kiddos in our lives — the same is true for our sweethearts, friends, colleagues, family, clients, and community. At the time, the recipients of our love, positive energy, kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness may not fully appreciate all that we are doing and giving.
But then, when they are ready, they will start to receive it in their own way and be inspired by it –– and it will shape them at the right time and in just the way they need, and they will make it their own and carry it with them, and then — even better — they will pay it forward!
Oftentimes, magic is working wonders under the surface before it fully comes to life! It is magic, after all! 😉 May we all find joy and delight simply in the giving, the doing, and the being!
