I curled up next to my daughter last night as I was putting her to bed. She begged me to scratch her back and tell her a story. Before I started my story, I asked her, “When did you feel most special today?” She told me about eating lunch at school with her friends. But then she erupted into an excited recollection of when her Daddy and I took her out for a donut one morning. That happened 2 years ago. She was 2 years old then!
Wow, at the time, I had no idea that the $.60 donut outing would stay with her, for years! I don’t even remember why we took her, why we let her have donut for breakfast, or if I tried to scrape the sugar off her teeth afterwards, but I do remember taking her! And clearly it made her feel pretty darn special that she can recall the experience, 2 years later!
Or maybe it’s not just one “donut” experience, but a history of good ‘donuts’. Years ago, in high school, I dealt with the normal teenage experiences…(and I have mentioned this in a prior blog (Tip # 29 ) and any time my self esteem took a hit or my confidence was lacking, “Joe” and “Ed” were always there, bringing out the best in me, challenging me when I needed it, making me laugh and most importantly, were just always there as my safe place to land. Sixteen years have flown by since we left that school. We all went our separate ways, all graduated college in different states, got married to our respective soul mates, moved to different parts of the country, and started families; and they are still a big part of my “donut experience.” In fact, I found out two days ago that they were both going to be in town this weekend (last time we hung out without kids was roughly 7 years go!) ….I still get super excited when I see them. They are friends that are just good for my soul….and make up one of my “donut experiences”!
Since I became a Mom, my kids, of course, are part of my ‘donut experience’ but at times, I know that I need a source of that fulfillment to come from something outside of Motherhood. Thankfully I have a few sources that help me to be the best me and bring out the best in me….
It is important for Moms to be able to have their ‘donut experience’ that makes them feel special, excited and fulfilled….outside of Motherhood. It reminds us, that we are people, independent woman who deserve to feel special, no matter what is going on in our household!
Do you have an experience that you have held onto for years, that has made you feel special? When was it? How long ago? How frequently do you feel that kind of fulfillment/ happiness?
Don’t wait for a donut experience to come…….seek it out!
