Moments
One of the most valuable things that I ever learned in teaching that translated to the rest of my life is that all relationships are built in tiny moments.
Children notice everything. Your warm smile, your interested tone, or your tense shoulders and rush to get them out of the way. Through this they learn who is trustworthy, who is safe, who is present.
I’ve carried this to motherhood. On days we’re spent, sometimes it’s eye contact and a giggle, sitting on the kitchen floor eating potato chips, or extra kisses at bedtime.
Then sometimes I forget and I watch it begin to erode away. My day was long, I’m getting messages, I’m worried about tomorrow. I don’t have time, I don’t have interest, I don’t have laughter. Until Finn sits on the step and says “I just want to be with you” and I’m brought back.
The same happens in adulthood. We lose friendships, relationships, opportunities, because we’re too lost in the day to day. Or we hold space for the friend who sends the late night text, sends us their adorable TikTok’s, laughs over lunch.
I think the important lesson is everyone wants to be seen, listened to, valued. We have this magnificent power to make this happen in a million tiny moments each day.
This is a reminder to myself, and I guess I’m sharing with you, to stop, see, and listen. Because someday, though my dishes might be done, they won’t trust me with their laughter, their kisses, their stories unless I do the work to make space now.