the HARD is what makes it GREAT

This is my new favorite quote. Let me explain why.

Take yesterday for example. Truman had gone to bed on a tantrum. And he woke yesterday on a huge tantrum. All day long was spent diffusing his temper. I decided he needed to work alongside mother. So – we gathered and sorted laundry. Truman was in charge of the jeans. He did it well. Then he and Max pushed the baskets to the stairs. It was hard work for them. As I was carrying the baskets downstairs Truman said, “You can do it mom!” I love that encouragement. Work is good for the soul.

After we started the laundry, we sorted shoes. … like a lot of shoes. Shoes that have been overtaking the entry. Summer shoes, winter shoes, too-small shoes, shoes without matches, shoes that need to go to D.I. At first he said it was too hard to find the matches. And then we took it a step at a time. He did great.

Last night we played outside as a family after dinner. { Glorious Spring, thank you for a bit of warmth } . Hannah and Abe & Dad were throwing a football. I found a softer football to play catch with Truman.

Oh . my . stars .
He loved it.

Oh, how he giggled.
I realized Tru doesn’t laugh very often.
He was doing such a great job catching it.
And he’d smile so big.

I’d encourage.
He’d say, “I am so good at this!”
He practiced throwing with one arm… hard for a 3-year-old skinny tot.

It was great.
I realized we need to focus on the things Tru does well. … and not define him by his rage moments.
We need to encourage him to learn new things and practice.
He needs to know that he can do hard things (like control his temper … and clean up … and catch a football)
The HARD is what makes it great.

This moment gave me great encouragement for Tru’s future.
I saw that he could do great things.

Which reminds me that when days are long and hard with crying tots
That all of those hard moments
are what make the GREAT moments so GREAT!