In a couple of days, Gates turns one. Yesterday with family and friends we celebrated Gates' birthday. (Some photos and more details here tomorrow and throughout the week.) It got me thinking of my hopes and dreams for Gates.
Unlike many when I was pregnant I didn't write notes or letters to Gates. It wasn't because I didn't (and don't) have hope and dreams for her. It was because I didn't (and don't) want to choose her path for her.
As parents we only want the best for our children. We want to protect them from every harm, and rush to their sides if they do get hurt. But, as parents, it's our job not to shield our children, to put aside our natural instincts and let them explore on their own. It's our job to help them develop skills for coping with the outside world.
This means our children won't always be our friends. They may or may not inherit our strengths and dreams, our fears and phobias. It is certain that they won't be our mirror image.
So, I'm banking these days. The days where Gates climbs up into my lap to hear a story. The days when Gates is not feeling well so we hide from the world in a blanket fort. The days where we play for hours under SpriteKat's watchful eyes. The days where a hug and a kiss from mommy make everything better.
I'm banking these days for those days in the not so distant future when I don't understand her hopes or dreams, where we don't see eye to eye. Those days when nothing I do will be right. Those days when she doesn't understand my fears. Those days when I can't make a hurt better.
What are your hopes and dreams for your children?
My hopes and dreams for Gates are simple. I hope she dreams and lives her own dreams.
On the blog this week, you'll hear all about Gates' first birthday (Monday), learn what we ate (Thursday), and see how I've labeled storage containers so that both cubes and I can find things (Friday).
Now that March is coming to a close, we'll be wrapping up our Spring Cleaning theme and moving on in April to Local Eating. I'll be exploring local farmer's markets as well as venturing out to some farms and dairies, and hope you will join me.
Ciao Bella!
Eden!
