Last night I lay in bed with my kids and a sea of stuffed animals, talking about a new piece of art that hung in our kitchen.
Me: Are there things I always say?
Ruby: Maaaaamaaaa. You ALWAYS say ‘I love you.’ And we totally already know you love us!
Margot: When we are crazy you say, ‘Sisters. Take it down a notch.’
Ruby: And you always say Oh! Look at the beautiful mountains! Or look at the beautiful dirt! And we already know what it all looks like!
Margot: You are always yelling for us to shut the door so the chickens don’t come and poop in the living room.
It went on for a bit and made me laugh. The things we say over and over again.
Last month I saw an image of a piece of art on instagram and knew I needed to own it. It was meant for me. You’d think I commissioned it. I bought it. I hung it yesterday, in the heart of our home.
This piece resonates so deeply with me because I say these words to my children daily, usually more than once. When the girl’s room is covered in every article of clothing they own and it is time to pick it up. Inevitably one will say But I didn’t DO this. She did! And I say, I’m here too and we will all help. We are all in this together. When secrets and exclusion unfold during a many-child play date. Let’s find a game that feels good to everyone. We are all in this together. When hiking and we pick up somebody else’s trash. It’s not about who left it here or why. It’s about what needs to be done with it, for the animals who live here. We are all in this together. When on a road trip that feels too long for everyone. Take a deep breath my chickens. We are moving forward but it will take time. We are all in this together. When a person makes a choice different than the one we make. People are different and have different opinions. We get to learn from each other. We are all in this together.
It is by Leah Boelman. She stitches yarn through wood and paints. It is easy to love everything she makes. Find Leah here: little green things / on instagram @littlegreenthings
We are all in this together. I believe it. We are a team. Our actions, our choices, the things we say – they are our vote for the kind of world we want.
13 Comments
Love, love, love.
Thank you for this truth, Nici. Ever since we got married, my husband has had this mantra for us: “We’re on the same team,” which I forget at my most selfish moments. I need to remember it more and expand it now that we’re a family of three, headed toward four. “We’re all in this together” is a gracious and crucial perspective for a mama to have and share during those particularly trying moments. Thanks for the reminder.
So many appropriate scenarios for this Mama-wisdom!
yes yes yes! that and “everyone’s going through something” as a mantra to remember that the things that bug me in others aren’t usually personal affronts, that most people are just doing the best they can and their stuff doesn’t have to be MY stuff.
SHIT YES! That’s a golden thing to remember, often.
Check out the song “We are all in this Together” by Ben Lee. It’s amazing.
Love this. So much. I overheard my 7 year old tell another kid one day, “It is like my mom always says ‘Own your words.'” It made me smile…to know he hears and really listens. Words can hurt so so much, but they have the ability to uplift and spread joy. So whatever you say, you own it so say it responsibily. I can have a very sharp tongue myself, so it is a good reminder for me as well.
How lucky your girls are, to have a thoughtful Mama like you. They make the future look a bit brighter!
Nici – I like this very much. Such a good, basic truth.
Have a great weekend, all in it together,
Ali of the Alps 🙂
Great post, as always. Our thoughts become our words and our words become our lives.
So much good stuff here! Everyone’s going through something; own your words; we’re all in this together. Love it.
love this piece of art…i may be a little afraid to ask my kiddos if there’s anything i “always” say 😉
for the record, i ear-marked several of your recipes…can’t wait to try them!
xo
Wise words my beauty….xo