embracing the light

Carmel, California

In the past few weeks I have been able to see the gift I have been given more clearly. I have been stretching on my tippie-toes to see the horizon and the beauty that is there. It can be easy to get all caught up in how hard *life* can be, but lately I have been able to see the good that comes from the opposition.

These children are in my keeping; for both of our goods.
They have and will continue to teach me.
They make me stretch myself into a better and stronger me.
Their strength is astounding.
Their wisdom is simple, but sure.
Their beauty radiates, especially when I focus on it.
They have helped me observe my habits and it’s as if I can see myself in a mirror, the good and the bad together.

I love being a mother. I am smitten with my children.

***

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

-Khalil Gibran