Lessons of Life, Learned From Our Children

Today was National Daughter's Day. That which we learn from our children is so much more than anything we learn about life in any other fashion, so I thought I'd list a Top 6 Life Lessons that my daughter has taught me.

1. Living isn't about you.
From the moment she was born, life and its daily living has been about many other entities than other than myself. From her, to her friends & activities, to simply developing a higher level of empathy for the world surrounding us ... what's important in the world is way more than the space we ourselves exist in.

2. The little stuff matters most.
From crayon drawings, to noticing birds & butterflies, to the interesting shapes that clouds become, the little things in life have the ability to bring the utmost wonder and joy. Appreciation of them makes every day better.

3. Find happiness in the mundane.
As adults, we don't think of our jobs or daily chores as something to rejoice over. Yet, in the eyes of a child, that copier with all the bells and whistles, or the class that you're teaching, or the aura of watching a show you're working on from the stage wings, are the coolest, most incredible smiling moments of the day. Embrace and find awe in what we, as grown ups, find the most normal and boring.

4. Accept everyone.
Kids are colorblind, gender blind, and generally accepting of everyone regardless of race, gender, or creed. I remember when my daughter was in kindergarten, she came home to inform me that she had a new friend. I asked her what her friend was like. She responded that she was fun, funny, intelligent, had black hair, & brown skin. If we all looked at personality traits first, then attributed physical traits to the colors in the crayon box, we might all be a lot less pre-judgemental and a lot more accepting.

5. Physical capabilities have no bearing on the awesomeness of the person.
My daughter became heavily involved in volunteering with special needs children while in middle school. Seeing her work with them, and watching the joy and growth that they achieved just by being allowed to be themselves without judgement or preconceived notions was awe inspiring. The simple act of treating every person, no matter who they are, as an equal brings out the best in everyone.

6. The unknown can be better than anything you dreamed up previously.
When I found out I was pregnant, I was on track to begin a dance career with Paramount. I have never once regretted changing course. The precious moments I've experienced, and the things that I've learned with her, are worth multiple lifetimes of anything I could have done on my own otherwise. Period.

If you have kids, love, adore, appreciate, and learn from them everyday. They truly are a blessing and gift from the greatest of higher powers. If you don't have them, know that if and when you do, your life will irrevocably change for the better. Even if they're someone else's children that you simply are a caregiver for, or mentor to, the daily moments and lessons are the most fantastic you'll ever have the good fortune to learn. Embrace it.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress

Domino and Her Kittens .. Lessons Learned

Our kitten had kittens the other night.  I realize this sounds weird. I shall elaborate.

A little stray black kitten that "adopted" us back in early December, ended up pregnant, so we discovered 4 weeks ago. She was so tiny, it was hardly possible that she could be pregnant, but nature has a funny way of proving you wrong. Lo and behold, five tiny beings were added to our household 4 nights ago. We have now gone into the realm of "mommy knows best".

When Domino went into labor, she hopped onto our bed & trusted us throughout the experience. After she had rested a few hours with her newborn kittens, we moved her & her babies into another room, into the comfort of a blanket lined basket. Domino decided, much to the chagrin of my loving boyfriend, that she should move her babies under the bed. Initially we didn't realize it was her decision. As with all groups of small children, there is always the rouge wanderer, and as it was the kitten that had been attempting to go explore since birth, we thought that the kitten had wandered off under the bed. Nope! Domino felt safer with all her children hidden under that bed. I slid a blanket onto the floor under the bed yesterday & she happily moved them onto it. We baby-gated the doorway so our other animals can't get in the room, and now she comes and goes as she sees fit when her babies are sleeping. Earlier today I watched the kittens under the bed ... a small pile of little squirming beings that randomly threw tiny legs upward and mewed ... cutest, best entertainment ever!

Regardless of what we think is best for Domino's kittens, most of which stems from our narcissistic need to view and play with them, Domino knows what is best for her family. Mommies always do. We, the viewing public, may not agree with it because of our own thoughts and wants, but who are we to argue? Soon, very soon, the kittens will open their eyes, gain control of their limbs, and go off exploring throughout the house. Their mother's ideas of safety will no longer be part of the equation. Yet during the time of their tiny, blind-eyed childhood, her protection is the difference between their life and death .. so to speak.

Kittens and humans are definitely different in timelines and needs, but the basis is very similar. Children need their mommies & the love, support, & nourishment, in both philosophical and physical areas, that their mothers give them, until those same children are mature enough to leave the nest. Regardless of what anyone else thinks those kids should have or experience, their mother's love & protection is necessary for a child's success in life going forward. It may be considered far-reaching in some cases, but society should keep that fact in mind. Not everything is about what other people think should or should not be.

Thoughts for pondering.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress