Put your oxygen mask on first.

The nuggets and I were running late. I had taken the time to slather them in sunblock, find them each a hat, fill up their water bottles and grab them snacks. But because we were running late, I rushed them out the door - without putting sunblock on myself, filling a bottle of water for myself or grabbing something for me to snack on. I also forgot my travel mug of coffee. Once we were on our way, I realized what I'd done. My reaction was, "Gah! Oh well, I'll be fine."

The boys and I ended up spending the entire afternoon outside. We went to the park, then we went to a farm, and we walked and laughed and played. The nuggets snacked and drank, drank and snacked. I got thirty, then hungry, then sunburned. It was a memorable day but I was not fine. I was lightheaded from low blood sugar, I became dehydrated and I was *really* uncomfortable from getting too much sun. If I had taken the time for myself, gotten my sunblock, water and a snack first perhaps, the day would have been comfortable for me too.

I have a plethera of healthy food in my house. Besides the fact that it's good for us, I love grocery shopping. I always have, even as a child. Grocery stores are magical places, full of ingredients ready for transformation. I especially love shopping for organic produce. It is glorious in all of it's colors and smells, textures and tastes. I bring mountains of fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apples, cantaloup, watermelon, grapes, bananas, and cherries into my house. I eat none of it.  If I eat that peach, Peanut would be disappointed there wasn't one for him. If I eat an apple, Pumpkin wouldn't have anything to dip into his nut butter. Do I honoring myself in doing this? No. I miss the opportunity to enjoy a luscious peach with them and giggle as juice runs down our chins. Do I honor my children by putting them first? No. By denying myself something pleasurable and nutritious, I teach them that I am not important, that my health and happiness is inconsequential to theirs. Do as I say but not as I do.

My sons love me. They want me to be happy, as I in turn want them to be happy. In taking the opportunity to enjoy a delicious and nutritious piece of fruit, I honor myself; in honoring myself, I honor my family. And as we say in our house, that's giving your family a heart hug.

Love and light (and aloe vera),
K