Home....Where I Make a Difference

Tonight I returned from a two and a half day conference. I'm not sure what I missed more.....the INTERNET, or THE SUGAR????? Okay, so anyone who knows me, knows that answer. By a landslide, I missed Sugar Bear, but I am not afraid to admit that I suffered a small case of the shakes this morning realizing it had been over 55 hours since I read a blog. As I type this....I'm deathly afraid to see how many blog posts are in my reader. TERRIFIED!





After a nice evening reuniting with my child, relishing in our night routines, and rubbing her back a tad bit longer, intentionally lingering to make up for lost time, I went about the overwhelming task of checking my email. Among the random SPAM, silly forwards, and a few friendly, yet business related emails, sat an unexpected email that literally MADE MY DAY.





You see, to attend this particular conference, I had to break one of my parenting rules. My Sugar Bear only stays overnight at her Grandparent's house, or her Aunt and Uncle's. This is something I feel very strongly about, and will soon be sharing my reasons in another blog post. Anyhow, both overnight options were completely unavailable for this week, and it was quite necessary that I attend this conference. After much deliberation, I asked a dear friend, Miss D, if she would keep my Sugar for two nights. She gladly accommodated me, and worked to ease my reluctance to break my own rule. Sugar Bear, Miss D, and her significant other, had a lovely time getting to know each other even better. Sugar has often stayed with them for several hours during the day, but an overnight visit gave them a chance to see each other in a different way. Tonight's email was from my friend, and she blessed my heart by describing the Sugar Bear she observed. Hearing these things from someone outside our family truly, honestly touched my heart. I'd like to share her thoughts here:

She is independent and likes to make her own choices. She loves hot chocolate! She can go to the bathroom, brush her teeth, and dress herself (almost!) by herself. She can count, recognize words, say her alphabet, and is beyond her years in academic skills. She loves conversations! (I think she would have sat at the dinner table all night!)





She understands the world beyond her years! She knows she is loved! She sleeps on her tummy. She still likes to nurse before bed. (She gave me a look at bedtime, and I said sorry, mine don't work anymore!)

She knows how to pack her own suitcase, and she remembers everything that went in it! She knows we really like having her visit! She learned how to control the dog! She loves Yoplait whipped orange yogurt! And fresh pears, watermelon, apples; and lots of Parmesan cheese on her spaghetti!





She is very smart! She is very beautiful! She is very grounded and self-confident! She is very perceptive and empathetic! She is very social and understands negotiations and peer play. She has a great sense of humor!

And I say, "Indeed she does...indeed she does!" It's good to be home.....HOME....where I'm making a difference....where everything I do matters. LIFE IS GOOD!