A Smudge of Dirt

Have you ever discovered something on your face at the end of the day and wondered who else might have noticed it? Just the other day, after hours of playing with my son at the playground and following running a few errands, I finally saw my reflection in a mirror. I spotted a thumb mark of dirt smeared across my chin. It sat there dark, bold and clear as day. I didn’t think twice about it as I wiped the mark off of my chin with my finger. I considered that very moment to be one of many amazing parts of being a mom. Countless times you willingly put vanity aside and embrace life for all of its dirt, tears, boogers and laughter, just for the sake of relating to your child and forming a genuine connection. Observing how my son relates to the world around him makes me admire his appreciation for life and being a kid. There are so many times a day that he reminds me of what living is all about, the fun, the struggle and the growth. Watching my child grow physically, emotionally and psychologically has shown me the perseverance we intrinsically possess, simply by being human. The will it takes for an infant to raise their head up for the first time, or a toddler to take their first terrifying, yet exhilarating steps. If you have ever thought it was difficult being a parent, you were 100% correct; however being a kid is equally complex. So, in honor of that massive gray thumb print on my chin that sparked this entire entry and thought process, I will meet all the future dirt that comes along with raising a child who is happy, strong and full of will with open arms and an open heart.

I would enjoy hearing your smudge of dirt moments.