I am stronger than I am weak

Building up not knocking over

I’ve carried two kids (piggy-back and orangutan style) with armful of groceries and I’ll hold that for open for you too, friend.

I am more patient than I am not

Not always

I’ve deep-breathed (and barred-teeth-whisper-screamed) through DEFCON 1 tantrums in front of daycare that left me crying and embarrassed and sending a nearby dad running to his car for Kleenex.

I am softer than I am rigid

Bending and being flexible and listening

I believe in empathy and grace more than power-over and if that means I’m also sometimes a “pushover”, I’m okay with that – because generosity is demonstrated not explained

I am prettier than I am not

In the eyes of my daughter, if not always myself

Trying to remember to have a kind inward narrative and see beauty as a big and bold and unique and special the way she does (and maybe someday I’ll pull off a tiara as well as she does too)

I am more reliable than I am absent

More comforting than confrontational

I want to be the soft landing, the coming home, and the steady grounding that makes the burden lighter and the scary less so

I am older than I am young

Wiser than I am not

I had a tape deck in my first car, have gone through the overall trend three times, and learned OG math, to the annoyance of my virtual-learning kids

I am a worrier more than a free spirit

Over thinker and anxiety prone

I am learning and growing and practicing and failing and getting back up.

I’m doing it. I’m doing fine. I am okay.

With affirmation, Lauren.