The month of July is important to me because my daughter Sophia was born on the Fourth of July. I believe that she was born on a very special day when families come together for picnics, barbecues and family reunions. It doesn't matter that your aunt makes inedible potato salad or your dad burns the burgers, they bother trying because they care and they'll serve it with a smile on their faces.
As I get older I've realized that a family, even a broken family, can be satisfying in life because you have had the magical moments of feeling loved. I think that as people we can over analyze every person that we've impacted or allowed to impact us. Sometimes that takes a toll on us; it's taxing. Every one has been judged in their life by someone and almost always too harshly. I wrote this article to say to you that it is important to let go of baggage, moments from the past that we hold on to that can destroy one's spirit and life.
As adults we reflect on childhood often missing it because as children we had the luxury of having little to no real baggage yet. As we get older we collect these emotional weights and lose sight of life's beauty. Even something as fleeting as a story on the news that we find disturbing can add to our stress. As I watch my little girls flourish I try my best to give them as many moments of magic as I can. I'm giving them moments to reflect on as they get older that will allow them peace of mind when they think it not possible.
The real trick is to teach them to carry that magic through their entire lives. I know that families are not always perfect and we will at some time disappoint someone that we love. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't put all of our energy into giving them a beautiful balance to build on. We should at least try.
It's the effort that means the most to kids. Joe and I picnic in our front yard regularly with our girls. I hold them when they're crushed by life. I share stories with my girls of deceased relatives that inspired me in my childhood. There's a lot to be learned from those around us. My girls love hearing the stories about the people that they never met in life but that they know are still there in spirit.
My Great-Uncle Don taught me to not give a lick what others thought of me as long as I'm sincere in my beliefs. That's a good lesson to learn that relieves you of the burdens that others try to inflict on you. Remember, you don't have to accept other people's issues. Also, remember this, people who suck the energy from you really do enjoy doing it so deny them your energy that they'll squander. Say, “no” with a smile and feel good about your choice. Don't beat yourself up.
Through the years, I've made my daughters' birthdays as spectacular as I can. I do this to let my daughters know that they were born to be celebrated and so that they know that they're as wonderful as all children should feel, even the grown ones. So as we go through life there is a fire that should never go out in our spirits or eyes. Work on keeping yours and appreciating who you are. No blame to the past. Move forward and celebrate your life as though those fireworks on the Fourth of July are set off just for you as I will allow my daughter to always believe they exist just for her.
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