This last week has been about back to basics for us. Our summer has been a joyfully busy affair with family, camping, celebrations, getaways and more. Our pace has slowed in (very) recent days though and it has been about gardening, bug catching, sand-box exploration and soccer against Mom in the backyard. And a couple days ago, I made Torta de Zapallitos, a green squash bake, with zucchini from the garden. Fresh zucchini is delicious, but this dish was...not good. What looked like a delight of bubbly cheese and egg on the surface was a runny, undercooked mess beneath.
That wasn't far from the truth for the family either. For all the fun of our summer days, those days have also been about whining, tattling, bickering and the occasional shove or two. So, back to basics...
The number one rule in our family is to Be Kind. Be kind to each other in how we play, how we ask, how we resolve conflict, and how we handle property. And we've needed some reminders of this lately, as do most people on occasion. Swinging a bucket at your brother's head: not kind. Using words to express your frustration: kind (when they are not screamed in each other's faces;).
Regardless of however many reminders we may need, I am extremely proud of how my boys take their understanding of kindness out into the world. Just today at the gas station, Ian asked me to pull up to another vehicle so we could tell the man pumping gas that he had dropped something under his car. Simple kindness. As we continue to talk as a family about the orange signs around town urging us all to VOTE NO against the proposed marriage amendment signs, Ian has also summed up the issue for his brother in the wise words of a child, "Voting No is kind, Suki. Voting yes is not kind."
When I served up the mushy, runny egg and zucchini disaster to my family, they didn't complain. They ate the bits they could and accepted my offering of crackers, cheese and humus with grace. They were kind even as I was beating myself up about the failure. Tonight, I redeemed myself for the sake of my own pride with Kima Curry, a ground beef curry with ginger and cinnamon. They were just as kind with a dish they happily devoured, declaring it "Super yummy!"
Even mom needs a little kindness sometimes. Oh, how proud I am of those boys.
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