whEn Awareness becomes Kindness
Some of us are learning a different rhythm of motherhood, one that doesn’t always match the pace of the world around us. It’s slower, but not inferior.
It’s intentional and stretching, heartbreaking yet hopeful, exhausting and overwhelming, and beautiful all at once. This rhythm demands more of us than we ever thought possible, and yet it gives us more than we ever imagined in return.
It means being tired on the days of driving to therapy. Overwhelmed in the mornings, showered with a hundred questions about the same thing. It’s frustrating at night when emotions are at an all-time high. But, honestly, even after the hardest days, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Some of us are learning this rhythm in ways we aren’t quite ready to put into words yet, but we are living it and showing up the best we possibly can.
To the ones living this reality every single day, I honor you. You are seen even when it feels like you are alone. Those hidden moments where no one applauds, in the decisions that get questioned, and the days you’re wondering if you are doing this the right way. I get it when you feel like others don’t understand, when they offer their opinions instead of empathy, and when it feels like you’re being watched more than supported.
You still show up…and you are doing a really good job.
You are seen in the victories that don’t look like much to anyone else. Those moments that seem small, but you know how much they cost and how much they mean. It’s there we learn to celebrate things the world might miss. I don’t think that’s small at all.
April shines a light on Autism, and it matters. Awareness is where it begins, but understanding is where change happens. When we begin to understand, we learn compassion. We are more compassionate toward others, we are much gentler and kinder. When we choose compassion, people feel seen, safe, and loved.
Maybe that’s the point.
To love people, isn’t that the goal? The Jesus way. To be kind rather than judgmental, and to choose understanding over assumption. To meet people where they are, not where you think they should be. How different would the world feel if we lived this way?
Because behind awareness are families, real parents, real children, just doing their best to live in a world that doesn’t always accommodate them or speak their language.
Let’s meet people where they’re at; there’s gold there, too.
To the beautiful ones who see the world differently. The ones we celebrate this month and every month…you are so deeply loved. The way you notice and experience the world, the way you see and feel, and move through life. It teaches us more than you know.
This world is better because you’re in it.
