The Fierceness required to Protect AND Appreciate

So much is underfoot these days. 

Memories of when I have had to be very brave to be a Protector for my child throughout her childhood are fortifying me at every turn as I seek to be brave in this stage of parenting.

Part of being my child's Protector is remembering, grounding, standing firmly in her intelligence.

And in mine.

Now that my child is almost 17, I have to constantly remind myself how healthy she is, how smart she is, how wise so many parts of her are.

And then I have to step in to be the Protector, the limit setter she needs me to be.

What it takes to be a Protector of my child is bravery. It means I need to keep calibrating my mind and my behaviors towards being very clear about what is right about her so I can steer her back into healthiness with my limits and guidance.

I made this altar this week. I needed a tangible and symbolic way to capture who she has always been, who she is possible of being, and the protectors who surround her and give me strength to keep reaching for her.

I put this picture in as a reminder…She is determined and focused and STRONG! She played soccer at 4 zeal and an unwavering commitment to getting that ball.  I want to help her tend that fierce fire.

Each object is a symbol of a Protector who helps me hold her brilliance and holds me accountable for reminding her of her brilliance through my appreciation, limit setting, anchoring and guidance.

As I am writing this to you, the final scene from the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once came to mind. This scene always fortifies me when I need to be a Protector for my child and my courage or resolve is running low. The kind of Protector that doesn’t give up on her, or my ability to be an advocate for her with her.

If you haven’t seen the movie, don’t watch this clip. It’s a definite spoiler.

If you have watched the movie, check out the clip. Every time I watch it I get goosebumps. I cry. 

This part of the movie reminds me to stand firm, stand strong, stand in love, and fight when necessary to help her retrieve herself.  And it reminds me to be grateful to those beloveds around me who help anchor me in doing so.

I send you strength and resolve, dear reader, in your role as your child’s Protector and Appreciator.

Together, let’s keep diving for our precious ones.

Yours in Grieving fully, Celebrating fiercely and Calibrating constantly on this path of Parenthood,

Magdalena