Just stop. And be loved.

 
 (I admit, that title's really for me.. but if it applies to you, too. Then please, by all means. JUST STOP. AND BE LOVED.)

It's the day before Mother's Day. And we're all focused on our moms and - as moms - also on ourselves and how blessed we are, and how beautiful our children are, etc etc etc. 

But if you're anything like me, sometimes being "forced" to feel something at a specific time/day, doesn't always work.

So, I have something I want to share with you. My fellow parents. For today and for always...

 ♥   ♥   ♥

As mothers (and fathers) we've all heard that we need to cherish these moments, and it will all be over before we know it, and we're going to miss all of this one day... like a million times in a million ways, right?

And every time this sentiment is brought up, honestly, it does effect me... but frankly, many times - amidst the screaming, whining, fighting, ungratefulness, and *disaster* that is my house - I find it nearly impossible to imagine missing parts of this. And sometimes it just really doesn't "sink in" for me.


Well, the other day I read this quote:

"You will never be this loved again. So on those days when you are feeling stressed out, touched out, and depleted, just remember that you will never be this loved again. One day you will long for their affection. So choose a soft voice, choose gentle hands, choose love."

 Boom. Done. Tears streaming down my face.

Because in all the ways I've thought about it, never being "loved this much" again had never crossed my mind.

Because they do. They don't just *need* me. They LOVE me. And they don't care what an absolute MESS I am.

They love me still.

And THAT? Well that's almost too much to take in. At least for me. And I've been feeling overwhelmingly blessed and just plain lucky these past few days.

Because I don't deserve any of it.

And they still just keep giving it to me. All of it. Unconditionally.

And that's the best Mother's Day present I think I could ever even imagine. I just needed to think about it a little different.

And if you're ever feeling overwhelmed or stressed out with this whole parenting thing... well, it's my hope that you will also be able to think back to this quote. Dig a little deeper to find just one more ounce of patience (we're bottomless pits, right?). And remember.

Just stop. And be loved.

Everything else can wait.

 

 This is literally called "Love Time" around here. 

I sit down, announce that I need some love, and they flock to me.

And today, Jared took pictures for me.

  I have absolutely no idea what I did in this life to get so lucky.

 ♥  ♥  ♥