I have had the wonderful opportunity of spending time with my family and in laws this last week. I went in seek of help. Help to find my mind again (certain I had lost it weeks ago), help to learn better ways to mother, help in keeping my little girl entertained.
I think I found what I was looking for! Although, my mind still my be lost...
During this week I learned a lot of things that I did not go to learn however. One of those things came to me after a particularly difficult episode with my little one. She was inconsolable and so we laid her in a safe place to cry while we ate a quick dinner. When I went back to pick her up she had tears. My little one cries a lot but this time she wasn't just crying, she had a tear halfway down her cheek and it broke my heart.
I could literally and physically feel my heart breaking because my baby was so sad. There have only been a couple of times in my life when I had felt that before.
That was when I realized, when I made the choice to be a mom I signed up (unknowingly) for an increased ability to feel. I felt that sorrow so acutely that it physically hurt. I feel so much joy when she is happy that I can't contain laughter.
This whole parent thing is truly incredible. I am grateful for the lessons I get to learn along the way!