“Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.”

~Khalil Gibran

I had 25 days when I could pretend that life was what I took for granted for 18 years. For 25 days, I woke up and my mental inventory was simple – both babies asleep in their beds, both under my roof.

Before, I used to never think for a moment about the extraordinary in the ordinary – I took it for granted that I was their mom, they were my children, and that every day – while surprises would undoubtedly rush in – my son and daughter would both be here. They would both be within arm’s reach every night.

These two children – they satisfied my longing for myself.

I’m not so sure that in those ordinary moments of life, though, we really realize what is happening. We take for granted the long days full of routine adventures. We tuck these children in and kiss their silky heads and go on with all the other things we think are so important.

That I thought were so important.

Did I even notice for a moment that they were both where they belonged?

Perhaps.

But this morning, when I wake up on the 26th day, my inventory is down. There is one less inhale to take. One less child growing and blooming under my roof. One less within arm’s reach.

My son and daughter, my life longing for itself. My children.

Life – you have two marvelous humans to take care of, two children to watch over, to take joy in the blessings they offer to the world. Life, please, love them fiercely.

Thank you to Goodreads for inspiring me with this quote today.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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