My Children are My Candle, My Friends are the Match

[coquillagement]

It is a good morning here. Following yesterday's hide-under-the-blankets episode, I'm feeling ready to take on the world again. Mostly because I was so buoyed by the love and encouragement of the non-venom-spewing, clear-headed, strong-hearted members of my flist. Gifts of chocolate, tea, DVDs, wisdom, exercises, escapism, hope, and the Saharism "That's on My List of Things Not to Worry About" have made for a refreshed Co today. I also confirmed, with a little naval-gazing, that even on days when just plain mean seems to be winning in all quarters, I have a candle to set out in the darkness, and that candle is my kids. It's my goal to ensure that they're not seduced by the dark side. That they don't engage in cruelty, but in compassion. That they know to offer help rather than ridicule, to seek solutions rather than scoff. To reason, to cheer, to defend, to love. If I set these three little lives out there thusly armed, they light up another corner. I think it's working when 13-year-old Luke calls me at 7:45 AM after a Halloween sleepover, voice still groggy, asking me to pick him up so he won't miss Shrek put on goalie pads for the first time. I think about things like that, and I think about you all, and I feel much, much better.

Edited to add my go-to song for these occasions... I'd forgotten about it, but here, a thank-you to you all.
(I'm also bad at sharing songs so I find it easy to do a you-tube link. )