My Children

I never want my children to feel like they have to hide themselves from me.

I never want them to treat me like I treat my parents: like shit.

But I think it all had to do with how someone is raised.

Because I grew up in a place where put-downs were thought to be affection.

And that had ruined me.

Because no one loves like I do.

I see love as pain and hurt.

“They insulted me, wow they must really love me”

No.

I want my children’s environment to be warm like Florida, homie like Minnesota, and kind like Tennessee.

I want to build them a garden of peace where they can grow and bloom into love and pollinate all the other gardens around them.

I will pluck every single weed of negativity from their fertile soil.

But I can’t control everything, even though I pray every night that I could.

Because sometimes a drought will come and everyday will feel like their last.

And sometimes the sun will shines a little too bright on them and all they’ll want is to wither away.

And every once and a while a flood will come and they’ll feel like they’re drowning in the place that once made them feel so safe. It’ll take away everything beautiful and pure from them.

But they need to remember that everything happens for a reason.

And even though they think that the flood has taken away everything they need and love.

They’ll soon learn that it just took away a layer of rotting soil.

Making room for something even more beautiful to grow.

“But you are the gardener of your life” – I’ll remind them.

And whatever they decide to plant in their garden, I will help them grow it.

Because sometimes they know what they need more than I do, and I understand that.

But no matter how many seasons change their garden, I will always be there to help them re-plant.

Because in our garden and home, love will water our hearts and happiness will rest in our home like goldilocks and we’ll dance in the rain – together!

Because love conquers any storm.