Top Ten Teachings of Daughters

Although they may be three decades younger than me, weigh 7 x less than me, look up at me from their height 3 feet, and live in the small world immediately surrounding them, my daughters are my teachers.

How do they teach me, let me count the ways:

1. As a new mama with a screaming newborn, my Ayla taught me how to nurse by breastfeeding like a champ.
2. As a mama the 2nd time around, my Grace taught me to revel in the quiet peaceful moments with her.
3. My toddler's passion for dancing, sprinting, and dressing up has shown me it's okay to be silly and where a tutu on my head while singing the Hokey Pokey.
4. The need my girls have for closeness has taught me the importance of touch.
5. My toddler's shyness with speaking and concern for getting it right has shown me the value of looking in one's eyes when she is talking.
6. The soft smiles and gentle plumpness of my baby teach me it's okay to be round.
7. My Ayla's fascination with books tells me that perhaps my addiction to books isn't all that wrong.
8. The new things my daughters achieve daily teach me to treasure every moment I have with them, even the hard, tantrum-filled, I'm-gonna-lose-it moments.
9. My toddler's thirst for space to run and play has taught me to simplify my life and find beauty in less.
10. My daughters' unconditional love for me teaches me every day the true meaning of love and life.