Today is My Favorite Day

“What day is it?” asked Pooh. 

“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.

“My favorite day,” said Pooh.” 

― A.A. Milne

I’ve never been one of those people who spends a lot of time looking up and posting quotes for public view. I’ve always thought of people who do that a lot to be on the pretentious side.

Lately, though, I’ve noticed myself doing it more and more. And, I suppose a reason for that is I am embarking on new and unfamiliar territory, and so I am looking to the wisdom of others to guide me.

I know I need to be prepared for the inevitable pain and heartbreak that will come with fostering children. I know I will be thrown into situations for which I will be completely unprepared. And, so I am looking to available calming and centering thoughts to help keep things in perspective even when strong emotions cloud my thinking.

Moreover, as parent figures of any sort, we will need to know how to hold ourselves together to be pillars of reliability for children — particularly those who have experienced the kinds of trauma I cannot even imagine.

And, so keeping oneself stable and focused and — as our recruiter frequently says (they have folks who’s main job is finding and helping candidates to become resource parents, because more are always needed) ‘you need to be the calm in their storm.’

And, so hubby and I are doing our best to prepare our environment to be suitable for the job ahead. 

And, so wise thoughts that summarize some of our most deeply held values and guiding principles just might come in handy. Even more, they may help us in teaching children some of the most important lessons they will need to learn.

One lesson I’ve struggled with? Remember when and where you are.

Nervous people like me tend to spend a great deal of time and energy thinking and worrying about the past and the future…at the expense of the present. My hubby is a much more centered person than I am and really good at living ‘in the moment.’ It’s one of the reason people have often said we compliment each other well.

Well, now is my chance to pass on that lesson to others in a new generation. And, if I can help a handful of children carry these bits of wisdom with them as they grow into wonderful adult human beings, then I will have done a worthy job.

So…for the moment. Remember what Pooh said. The most important day is today. It’s the only day you have. Do everything you possibly can to make it the best day of your life.