So I figured my children would be smart alecs, but I never thought they would actually teach me anything. I am the one who is supposed to provide all the wisdom and guidance, aren't I? How much did the education system fail me when my three year old son can teach me something every day?!
Of course, I do not mean that he teaches me math or cooking skills. He teaches me life skills. He has taught me strength, patience, kindness and faith. I am sure all moms have heard this a thousand times, but we also know it is true: I was the best mom before I had kids. I knew how he was going to be raised, I knew how it was going to work, and I was going to force my obedient little children to behave perfectly. And how did that work out for me? Not so much.
When he was injured and we had to take care of him, I wondered every day how I was going to make it. But he would turn those big blue eyes up to me, with complete unguarded trust, and I was able to make it through another day. Seeing the need in his eyes taught me how to trust myself to find the strength to see him through.
Babies require a certain amount of patience, every mom knows. But toddlers require a ridiculous amount more patience than I ever could have imagined. You know those old movies, where the young children sit quietly and eat their dinner, and act upon their parent's every command? I suppose that was all part of the script, yeah? When I say, "Jump!" Gage will boisterously yell, "NO!" and run (very quickly) in the other direction. Or he'll beg and cry for pizza all the way home, asking approximately every 3 seconds for a piece of pizza. But when we get home, do you think he wants any pizza? No! Why would he; how did silly mom get that idea?! A less patient parent may try to hold him and shove the pizza in his mouth. (I, of course, have never tried this... Never.) Gage has taught me the patience we need to realize that toddlers are beings, with personalities and wants, and minds they can change on a whim.
Above all, Gage has taught me kindness and faith. When I see that little person doing everything exactly the way I do everything, it made me sit back and think about who I am as a person. It made me realize that just because I am having a bad day, doesn't mean strangers should get the stink eye, or that he should be taught that. He has taught me to step back and assess the situations that arise every day, and act the way I would want him to learn to act. And when I take this step back, I realize I cannot do this on my own. I need faith in God to take care of and guide me with Gage. He gave him to me, I need to let Him help me. There is not one second of the day when I am no longer aware of God's blessings, help, and love.
Who knew Gage was such a smarty-pants? It will surely help him get through Harvard Law School. Good for him!
