Hey, Mamas!
As we wrap up another Fourth of July, I can't help but reflect on how this one-day-a-year celebration is so much like our round-the-year motherhood journey. One minute you're dodging exploding watermelons and the next, you're dabbing your eyes as your little girl sets off her very first firecracker.
Our Fourth of July this year was a vibrant patchwork quilt of joy and sorrow, laughter, and a few tears. Sound familiar, moms? Just like a typical Tuesday, right?
Spending the day with family in my hometown of Long Beach, I was struck by how beautifully bittersweet some moments can be. The absence of my dear sister-in-law was felt by all, her memory woven into the very fabric of our celebrations. But as we laughed, reminisced, and even shed a few tears, we created new threads in the tapestry of our shared memories. In her absence, we found a unique comfort— a comforting solidarity. It was as if an anchor dropped, gently reminding us that love's power stretches far beyond any loss we might experience, binding us together in its resilient web.
Our own little firecracker, Lily, got to experience a slice of my childhood. Her wide-eyed wonder as she set off her very first “real” firecracker—well, let’s just say that sparkled brighter than any display lighting up the night sky. Amidst the ebb and flow of life, the changing tides of emotions, there is always space for fresh joy and new experiences.
It got me thinking. Isn't this what our journey as mothers is all about? It's a roller coaster ride with its ups, downs, and the occasional loopy loop. We hang on tight, laugh, cry, and at times, we're left breathless. But oh, what a ride it is!
This Fourth of July was uniquely ours, a day brimming with love and dotted with a few heavy hearts. Much like motherhood, it was perfect in its imperfections. It’s a gentle nudge reminding us that it's okay to find joy in sorrow, to hold space for both, and to embrace life in all its contrasts. That's where its beauty lies, after all.
You just gotta ignite the lightAnd let it shineJust own the nightLike the Fourth of July
So, here's to us, mamas! Here's to our shared journey, our shared struggles, and triumphs. Here's to celebrating love, life, and each other, not just on the Fourth of July, but every day.
How was your Fourth of July, lovelies? Any memorable firecracker—kid or otherwise—stories to share? Spill the tea in the comments below!
