Learning Curve

I'm really diggin' this Daddy thing.  Don't get me wrong, that's not to say that I'm that great at it. Or that we don't have our moments.  But now, at this stage of the game (and this may change day to day, who knows?) I love ALL the moments, good and bad.

The good moments are priceless.  They are all smiles, laughs, and giggles.  They're filled with squinted eyes, grins that won't recede, and hearts filled to the brim with warmth and love.  

But I can honestly say that the bad moments (and with a 22-month-old, we do have them) are treasured.  No, not necessarily in the moment; but, oh so close. These are the tantrums, the faux crying, the dirty looks, the broken record of "No's".  It's the little pearl that appears after the struggle.  It's through the not-so-pleasant times that the true learning is cashed in.  It's like we can literally see her understanding what the fight was about.  It's at those times that she is learning about her world.  If the good times teach her that she is loved, cherished, and protected, then the ugly times teach her that despite her elevated sense of being, she doesn't rule the roost.  And she doesn't have to dig that.  And it's okay, because she is still loved and protected.

Sometimes, we can be having one of those knock down, drag out fights.  And it can drag on and on. Yes, this girl is persistent!  And I love that!!! I hope she never loses it.  Truthfully!  I hope she keeps her tenacity, her fight for what she wants in life.  But sometimes, after one of those fights, I'm so battle-worn, the aches and bruises so intense, I don't realize that . . . I've won!!!  I've won!!!  She, despite her youthful energy, gave in because she knew I would not.  

And that's when I feel the proudest. That's a life lesson. One that she'll be repeatedly quizzed on throughout her life.  And the lesson for me: I can make sure she aces those quizzes if I don't falter, if I consistently remind her of her protective boundaries.