Presence, such a hard thing to attain. This applies to life in general and, alas, this parenting task seems never to go away (and my kids are 46 and 48!). I don't mean the sunblock; I mean the job of being present with what is, not with what else I might wish were going on. Not missing a moment I actually have while yearning for or anticipating something else.
This is wonderful. I did not discover mindfulness & meditation until about 5 years ago, and it has made a world of difference for me as a parent & caregiver. I wonder, too, where I was all those years when my son was younger & how much I likely missed not being fully present. I am practicing now, and learning to pay attention. Looking forward to your Substack!
Thank you so much, Robin. I'm glad to hear that mindfulness and meditation have helped you, too. I love your use of the word practice—that framing helps me to be easier on myself when my mind is all over the place still. Thank you for reading!
I love the parallels in our life. The post-it note on my desk at work reads, “Be where your feet are.” Also, I very much appreciate your honesty about the joys and—ehem—challenges of parenting and human-ing. It’s tough out here.
Ohhh thank you so much for reading this and sharing, Jessica! I like "Be where your feet are" so much. Even better -- to be reminded of being in our actual bodies. I really appreciate this <3
I have and will continue to write about my mother-daughter relationship. Some of those poems are in my new collection, The Hatchet Sun. What I can tell you from the future is that, at least in my case, the care comes back to you multifold, and I am even learning life-lessons from her, like the importance of bedmaking everyday! :-)
I will be in Pittsburgh in October for eight days. It's my 50th HS reunion at WT. Would love to get together, like we did, years ago at Ritters! Very proud of you and a fan of your work. Loving this blog so far!
Happy Monday!
I love this--and the many pieces you're writing that catch the difficulties--and the joys--of bringing up children.
Thank you, Liane! ✨✨
Wonderfully crafted! Brilliant! And can’t help but ask….and where is your attention right now? And now? Love to you and yours! 💙🙏😘
Thank you for this! Love your questions 💛💛
Presence, such a hard thing to attain. This applies to life in general and, alas, this parenting task seems never to go away (and my kids are 46 and 48!). I don't mean the sunblock; I mean the job of being present with what is, not with what else I might wish were going on. Not missing a moment I actually have while yearning for or anticipating something else.
Yes to all of this! here's to trying..xoxo
this really resonates with me. i struggled with so many parenting tasks. xo
Thank you, Carolee! sometimes the ones that seem simplest are the hardest for me xoxo
This is wonderful. I did not discover mindfulness & meditation until about 5 years ago, and it has made a world of difference for me as a parent & caregiver. I wonder, too, where I was all those years when my son was younger & how much I likely missed not being fully present. I am practicing now, and learning to pay attention. Looking forward to your Substack!
Thank you so much, Robin. I'm glad to hear that mindfulness and meditation have helped you, too. I love your use of the word practice—that framing helps me to be easier on myself when my mind is all over the place still. Thank you for reading!
I love the parallels in our life. The post-it note on my desk at work reads, “Be where your feet are.” Also, I very much appreciate your honesty about the joys and—ehem—challenges of parenting and human-ing. It’s tough out here.
Ohhh thank you so much for reading this and sharing, Jessica! I like "Be where your feet are" so much. Even better -- to be reminded of being in our actual bodies. I really appreciate this <3
And now at 32, when my daughter asks me to sunblock her back, I am overjoyed to be the mother protector, going underneath her straps for good measure.
Love this, Victoria! Maybe you need to write about that stage? I'd love to read it xo
I have and will continue to write about my mother-daughter relationship. Some of those poems are in my new collection, The Hatchet Sun. What I can tell you from the future is that, at least in my case, the care comes back to you multifold, and I am even learning life-lessons from her, like the importance of bedmaking everyday! :-)
Can’t wait to read your latest--Need to get a copy! Thank you for sharing this 💛
I will be in Pittsburgh in October for eight days. It's my 50th HS reunion at WT. Would love to get together, like we did, years ago at Ritters! Very proud of you and a fan of your work. Loving this blog so far!
I would love that! Let’s do it. Mutual admiration here! ✨✨