I subscribe to all sorts of blogs in my Google Reader. I never know when I might run across a seed of inspiration either visual or prose that makes me bust through a creative or emotional rut. Sometimes it seems like the universe knows exactly when I need something.
This past week was a tough one. My very good friend lost her mother to breast cancer. I traveled to Delaware for the service, it was beautiful and heart-wrenching. A member of my family sent me a very hurtful email; the kind that make you spiral down and changes you. The kids had two days off from school. Not a bad thing, just challenging to get stuff done. And Eli had a birthday weekend, multiple dinners and a big birthday bash. We took 10 kids to a Caps game – super fun but I spent a lot of energy petrified I might lose one in the crowd. I know most people would love to have my problems. None of it was major or that big a deal, it was just one of those long weekends that physically and emotionally drains everything out of you.
And then today I read a blog post entitled Add Love into the World. It offers a challenge to spend a week being a little bit nicer, a little less snarky, less judgmental and mean and be more appreciative, loving, kind and to lead with love in your heart.
Today is Eli’s 8th birthday. He is eight amazing years old. He is the physical embodiment of all that blog post asked of it readers to do: He does not subtract. He does not maintain. He does not hold steady. He adds love to the world.
Eli is this incredible gift from the universe. His very presence adds love into the world. He teaches me how to be a better mom, a better friend, a better human being. I tell him often how lucky I am that I get to be his mom. To know this child is to know love.
Eli adds love into the world.
At his Big Birthday bash at the Caps game (he had a grin ear to ear all afternoon)
Opening and playing with his last set of gifts tonight: a WWE game set.
