one day ends and another begins...

it's amazing how when surrounded by a bad day, it seems like it's the only thing around.

especially with parenting.

there are days that leo is just packed with emotions.  sensitivity.  tears.

and then there are multiple days filled with that.

and it feels like it will never end.  it starts to rub off on me.  which, i guess, in essence, is a good sign of being connected with him.  but that doesn't make it any easier.

and now, here we are... in some easy-going days.  when, just a couple of days ago, i was racking my brain, trying to figure out what was going on.  if leo was stressed.  if he was sick.  if i was being too impatient.

here we are... as if those days never even happened.

but they did.  and they will.  again and again.  and they should.  and they will pass.

they are a part of our lives.  they make us who we are.  they make leo who he is.  they make me who i am.  they teach me how to love.  how to be patient.

because those are the days that i learn the most.  when every parenting strategy i have and believe in gets tested.  when i feel my frustration bubble up... when i need to take a break.  when i feel my patience shorten... react instead of being present...

and then, most importantly, after it all, take time to reflect.

when i look back and see that it was just one day.  or two days.  or even a week.  i can zoom out... and see that in the grand scheme of things... it's just a small ripple in a very large ocean.