little people are bigger than i thought

I remember when I thought I was too busy to sit down with my kids. To take time out and give them my full attention. So they could tell me about their world, what was on their mind or just for a cuddle. I always had ‘something’ to do, or when I did sit down I wasn’t entirely present. I was thinking of what was for dinner, what deadlines I had to meet and what bills were the most important out of the stack to pay.

A lot has happened since then. I have gotten older and the girls and I have been through a lot together. I finally figured out that THEY are the most important thing for me to worry about. Bills shmills (well not really, but you know what I mean). We are the closest we have ever been. And I know this is due to this realisation.

I wanted to share this with you, because yesterday something amazing happened.

I have to start the story on Saturday when I took the girls to Melbourne for a weekend of fun. Just me and the girls and Melbourne. IT WAS AWESOME. To see my girls LOVE the gallery was one of the most rewarding things in a long time. Anyway, Saturday. We were walking down Smith Street, Collingwood on our way to meet some old friends, when a woman approached us and said she “didn’t want to bother us but…” As any of you who have walked down Smith Street know, this happens a lot. I told the lady I didn’t have any money to give her and she told me she just wanted some food to feed her kids. It was so heartbreaking to see her desperation, I couldn’t imagine watching my kids going hungry and not being able to provide for them. The girls and I walked to the nearest supermarket with her and bought her lots of fresh food, milk, bread and some treats for her kids. The look on her face still brings tears to my eyes. She thanked me over and over and we went off to meet our friends. That was all I thought of it.

Until last night.

I was sitting in the lounge room listening to the amazing storm outside when my eldest walked in to the room with tears in her eyes. I asked her what was wrong and gave her a cuddle. She told me that ever since Saturday, when we helped the lady, she couldn’t stop thinking of how lucky she was to have me look after them and love them. She just wanted to let me know she appreciated it. ARGH crying AGAIN!!! It was one of the most powerful moments of my life. We both sat on the couch cuddling and crying. Her thinking she was lucky to have me and me thinking how blessed I was to have this person as my kid.

It really made me think how those little people have thoughts running around their heads just like us big people do. And how important it is to be there to hear them and to acknowledge them. I am so glad to have finally realised that my kids are people too. And it is such a pleasure to really get to know them.

There are sometimes I am sure we all feel a little taken for granted and unappreciated, but these little people think we are the best bloody things ever. Lots of love to all you mums and dads out there! You’re doing an awesome job. x

Here are some photos of the weekend with the most awesome little people I know!