Parent's joy

The best thing in the world for me is when my kids are kind to each other. When this happens, I congratulate myself for actually having more than one child. (If you know my oldest, you may understand why this was kind of a leap of faith.) It makes a lot of the harder moments feel worthwhile.

This morning, S asked K if he had a good sleep. This might not seem like a big deal, but it is huge. S has had the hardest time accepting K as a brother - we have tried to just let it grow naturally and not push it. A little kindness is a huge deal.

Tonight, S read to Z. A big pile of books, from "Goodnight Moon" to "Spinky Sulks." To me, this is bliss. And Z loves it. I think she likes it better than my reading to her. Big brother attention is pretty special.

A is constantly playing with the little kids. I need to do a better job recognizing his consistent kindness.

I believe God is our father, with a parent's feeling for all his children. I can imagine now, better than I could before I became a mom, why he commands us, teaches us, pleads with us, to love each other and be kind and make peace. It is a joy I have not felt in any other situation; I think it may be the greatest gift a parent could receive.