one wish

i could write a list of valid reasons for not being around lately. i could tell you what an adjustment it is for our family to have me be full time day shift for my orientation period.

in reality though, i want to write so much that i feel i can't say. so, i don't write anything.

as i sit and as i long to write though, i remember this: primary, this space is for me to record our family's journey right now. and my journey right now is going something like this:

i don't understand mean people. that sounds like such a silly statement to me. but, it is just exactly what it is. i don't understand it. here's the thing though....i HAVE accepted the fact that it just IS. it IS part of this world. what fascinates me now is how people can be so drastically different.

i don't believe that many parents teach intolerance and hatred. i have never met a mom that would be proud of their child for being rude and disrespectful. so where does it come from? how do we prevent it in our own families? i do not have any indication that my children will be this way, but that's just it. i don't think any mother thinks, "my son is going to grow up and be angry and say hurtful things to people he barely knows."

we all have strengths and weaknesses. i believe one of my strengths is seeing the big picture. i am able to really empathize with all sides. i'm nowhere near perfect and i appreciate the strengths of others, but i'm so grateful for this ability.

my girls and i play a lot of dress-up/pretend/princess/fairy-wishing. (as in the impromptu hat/apron party below.) if i really did have that one wish, i think that's what it would be....

for everyone to have the ability to empathize with every person in their particular situation.

when we each realize that we don't know each other's whole story...

when we realize that we may not even know their circumstances for today....