People seek retreats for themselves in the country, by the sea, or in the mountains. You are very much in the habit of yearning for those same things. But this is entirely the trait of a base person, when you can, at any moment, find such a retreat in yourself. For nowhere can you find a more peaceful and less busy retreat than in your own soul-especially if on close inspection it is filled with ease, which I say is nothing more than being well-ordered. Treat yourself often to this retreat and be renewed.

{MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.3.1}

Dear Me

(and any other Mom reading this):

I mean, don’t get me wrong. Knowing that “the kids” are home safely, “the significant other” is home safely, and your many other “people” all being hunkered back down safely from wherever in this world their daily travels took them is everything.

Thank you, Jesus. AMEN!

But, you see, this “get home safely” message is for YOU! Someday, you’ll be the literal axis upon which other worlds revolve. Your primary assignment in this lifetime will be domestic goddess, wife, and mom, which of course is THE top job of them all. You’ll be the very essence and living heartbeat of any structure wherein you dwell, the love of many other peoples’ lives, and the one person they’ll run to the fastest and NEED to see standing strong when they walk back through your open door:

I’m coming home. I’m coming home. Tell the world I’m coming home. Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday … I know my kingdom awaits and they’ve forgiven my mistakes.

Take care of YOU, because YOU are precious, too, and, yes, it’s okay to value your own life, mental wealth, and physical well-being as much as, if not MORE than “theirs”. “Their lives” wouldn’t be the same without YOU.

They say that “home is where the heart is”, and nothing could be further from the truth. So, while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to, be mindful of the many hearts that call your still beating heart their home. You’re their Sun, their Moon, and their Stars! Give thanks and praise to God when YOU walk back through your own doors, because even He knows that this “living” gig ain’t always easy.

By the way, might I just say how amazing it is that now when you hear this song, you hear it from a much different place? I’m super proud of you for that, by the way, “Younger Me”! And, oh, one last thing … I really, really love you!

~ ME