JUST LET THEM TAKE IT AWAY!
“JUST LET THEM TAKE IT AWAY! WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL GRANDMA!”
This is what my 8 year old son J told my parents when they were packing their bags and preparing to leave our house, after the most rejuvenating fun-filled time ever last weekend, when they came in town and visited.
We had a blast, staying up late talking for hours, cooking up some of the most amazing Ethiopian dishes known to mankind – and the kids loved every minute with their Grandma & Papa.
When it was time to go…ummm my son J was not having it. He was like “Aren’t we having fun? Then why do you have to go?”
My mom was like “Ohh baby, Grandma & Papa have to go back home so we can get back to work to pay our bills.” J, in a confused state of childhood naivety was like “But Why?”
My mom replied, “If we don’t pay our bills, they’ll take away our house, cars and everything we have.”
Then J had this look on his face like “SO!” He said in his most authentic, sweet, passionate yet unapologetic voice “Just let them take it away! What’s the big deal Grandma!”
We all bust out laughing! But you know what, in hindsight, the kid had a point.
LIVING LA LOVESTYLE VIDA LOCA
Now Lord knows, I get that there’s bills to pay. But…There’s a difference between surviving…and really LIVING! Dare I say LOVESTYLE LIVING!
In the mix of our day-to-day hustle and bustle – we have to make sure we’re not just spinning our wheels in a rat race. Now I’m not saying constantly duck ya bills and creditors (note to self, as I did just sent an 888 number straight to voicemail *shrugs shoulders* lol) But no for real, always handle your responsibilities.
However, it makes no point to just constantly work to get money, when the money is not serving us because we’re not LOVING HOW WE’RE LIVING…OR LIVING IN A WAY THAT WE LOVE! Living must be purposeful, ideally with every second of breath that we have. True Lovestyle Living is about creating soul fulfilling memories and a space of joy.
DITCH GIFTS…MAKE MEMORIES
That’s actually why I don’t do gifts much for the holidays. I’d rather create an unforgettable experience with my children. Even outside of the holidays when we travel, I can always make time to do a staycation in a nearby city like Baltimore near the harbor. And my logic is why would I buy a $300 toy, when we can go to a really bomb space museum (J loves aerospace, and museums are free in DC where we live).
By the way, for any special-needs moms like me, Miami has the most INCREDIBLE museums for kids with special needs. The ones I’ve been to were autism friendly, super fun for all, and only $10/day.
LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE…FOR FREE
And guess what? Living your best life sometimes doesn’t have to cost anything.
In our family, it’s nothing for us to do our own #AMC (At My Comfort) Movie Night, and create a picnic right in the middle of our living room. We’ll bust out the blankets to make pallets, make popcorn from scratch (you know anything I cook gotta be from scratch baby lol), and pull out all the snacks and goodies to have a good ole movie night right on the floor – just the family.
(SN: Now when the boys start putting their little precious stinky toesies on me, that’s when Momma Bear gotta create just a little more separation because that’s a lil too close for comfort HA!)
SHUT IT DOWN
I’m guilty of being a workaholic. But when its time to shut it down, one thing I give myself credit for is I do shut it all the way down. I’m very clear that the special time I get to spend with my family is EVERYTHING. The most amazing moments happen with them. So, being fully present with them is a non-negotiable. Sometimes we forget that we always have a choice. And NO is a complete sentence.
My son’s innocent plea to keep my parents with us longer during their trip was a reminder that creating loving moments “in the moment” should always be a priority. What my “wise beyond his years” son J was saying in so many words was:
“I’M HERE! THIS IS WHERE MOMENTS OF REAL LIFE & LOVE ARE…NOT THERE, WHERE YOUR BILLS ARE…BUT RIGHT HERE WITH ME!”
And I’m about to get real with you. I have not been quite right sense Kobe Bryant and his daughter passed away. I cannot stop thinking about Kobe, Gigi, and to be very honest – even more so Vanessa and everything she is going through as a mother and wife. It breaks my heart and consumes me that she has to cope with the devastating reality that she will never see her husband and baby girl on this earth again.
I get so emotional every day thinking about it. But every time I go there, it’s a reminder to shift my entire energy and “Make Happy” thoughts to manifest by being present in the moment…now!
When we do this, we’re taking full advantage of creating truly unforgettable memories no one can ever take away. That’s that Real Love - so real and full of love it stays with us forever.