Gleaning Love

From my naive perch....I observed them. Yes, knowing very little about love, life, connection or commitment, I watched them...because I found watching them so enjoyable. They interacted seamlessly. They were easy together. Just! So! Easy! Together! And because of that, they put whoever was around them at ease, including me.

I was an only child, with zero reference to family dynamics, because it was just me and my mom from the very beginning - my father giving nothing to me other than his DNA. Although my mom was wonderful, and did what she could with every available resource, when it came to my examples of love...I relied on Mr. and Mrs. Perez. Not only did they treat each other with enviable respect, they gave that same level of respect to my mother from the very early years of her fractured life. And then, when I came along I, too, became a lucky recipient of their unconditional love.

They enveloped us as if we were their blood relatives, making us feel something so much grander than what we would have felt had it just been the two of us in the world. They included my mom and me in everything they did...often saying, “welcome at all times”, and they meant it. And I felt it. They encouraged my mother to explore her passions, believing she had the potential to harness a better life for herself. Never with the intent of letting her go, but rather with the intent of lifting her up. While she was busy rising, they gave me their time and those same directives. Here I am, at the tender age of 7, relaxed and comfortable, feeling so connected, absorbing the things in their life that were important to them:

- Allow yourself to be loved.

- Love with all your heart in return.

- Share your love beyond its boundaries.

- Tell someone they matter.

- Tell them they do have the potential, then believe that to be absolute truth.

- If you have room for others, make that room.

To this day, I have navigated my life guided by their principles. I am the biological mother of 6 and the receptive mother to many more...all loved and encouraged in equal measure...because turning my back or shifting my gaze on anyone was never an option.