We got her a book called The Caring Me I Want To Be. It talks about how to be kind and caring and addresses how sometimes we may forget to act that way but we always have the choice to apologize and return to being "a caring me". She loves the book and a common compliment in our house has become, "oh that is such a good caring me you are being." She really enjoys hearing the specific things she does that make her a "caring me" like the book.
Our dog had a really rough week last week and had to go to the vet twice. Even though both things turned out to be fairly minor in the grand scheme it definitely resonated with the sadness of losing our other dog in June.
My daughter kept wanting to play fetch with her but our dog just wasn't up for it. I explained to my daughter that she wasn't feeling well and needed to just rest. Next thing I know my daughter has brought over her guitar and is telling Pippin (the dog), "I will play a song for you. It will make you feel better."
I love my daughter. And there are a hundred times a day my heart swells at things she says or does that are cute. But watching her sing and play her guitar for her fur-sister my heart simultaneously melted and exploded with love. She makes me want to be an even better "caring me" and I hope she always keeps this generous, loving heart.
I'm so grateful for my daughter and all she teaches me. I'm grateful for what a beautiful person she is and her huge heart. I'm grateful for my sweet fur-baby that is patient and gentle with my daughter. I'm grateful for all the little quirks and silliness of Pippin's personality. I'm grateful last week's ailments were minor in the grand scheme. I'm grateful to see that there is still some healing to do on the wounds of losing my other fur-baby. I'm grateful to work each day to be a "caring me" and model that behavior for my daughter. I'm equally grateful for all the ways she models it back to me.
How do you model being a "caring me"? What can you do today to help someone in need or give back?
May today remind us to treat one another with care. May we practice patience with those who test it and love to all we meet. Have a beautiful day!