Table for Eight

Papaya--a long time ago. Probably age 6? I read something this week that really got me thinking. And I'm bummed because I didn't write it down, but here's the jist of it: "Some of us are expecting our children to grow up to be respectable citizens ... without ever showing our children what a respectable citizen LOOKS LIKE." BOOM!   In other words, unless we are SHOWING our children HOW to be a "good human being" on Planet E., then we can't expect them to KNOW how to be a good human being on Planet E. BOOM! I know, profound, right? It's not that I had never thought of this before, but I think I needed to be reminded . Big time. Because if Dave and I can't show our children HOW to treat people kindly, how to care for living creatures (including themselves), how to work hard, how to bounce back after failure or disappointment ... how to ENJOY life, etc., then how in the world do we expect them to do it themselves? It all...

Me with our sweet baby Zu, a few years ago. I know it's completely stepping out on a limb to think that I could/should offer a parenting tip: I have SO much to learn yet myself. BUT, after Zu came home yesterday and shared this experience she had while riding her bike in our neighborhood . . . I just had to . And in my defense, I have had a few profound life experiences adopting 6 kiddos and living on a deserted island with "strangers" for 67 days--experiences that have taught me one SUPER IMPORTANT LIFE/PARENTING LESSON/LIFE-HACK: Whenever you meet someone--no matter where or how you come to meet--focus on what you have in common. Find the common ground. Even if the only thing you have in common is that you are both human beings on Planet E at this unique space/time: find the common ground. Your relationships, and the health of our societies, depend on us finding common ground one with another. I promise you--try it for a day and you will see what ...