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Cup

By Jessica

Waiting for his treat, he forces a splayed hand as close to my view as a three foot frame can stretch. I am about to drop them one. two. three. into his grasp until I looked down and see his hand waiting in true toddler fashion. Fingers spread, his palm urges upwards. Everything I hand him will tumble to the floor.

I take the last of his baby-chubbiness into my own hands, forming a bowl for his treats to land. He catches them smiling and shovels them to his lips before they can sprinkle a crumb to the floor.

We will practice this for years to come.

Look up

cup your hands

gather all you have been given

and smile.

sawyer and nanaSawyer and my mom cuddling by the lake

What is one thing you hope your children grow up to appreciate?

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42 Comments Filed Under: Love, Musings of Motherhood


Comments

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  8. Tonya says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Beautiful shot. I hope Lucas grows up to be sensitive and understanding, loving and always curious about the world around him.

    Such a wonderful reminder, Jessica. We are so blessed.

    Reply
  9. Grace Tronny says

    August 29, 2012 at 1:24 am

    What an awesome analogy! It’s indeed very important that we appreciate what we have. Cute pic!

    Reply
  10. L.McG.-E. says

    August 28, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    So wonderfully evocative of those early years, how very precious is this time Jessica. Lovely shot with Grandma and grandson as well, so full of comfort and love.

    Reply
  11. Jenni & Andy says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Look up
    cup your hands
    gather all you have been given…

    I should tape this to my bathroom mirror, to serve as a reminder every morning.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 29, 2012 at 10:18 pm

      I need to remind myself too. Some days it’s not as easy as others.

      Reply
  12. JDaniel4's Mom says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    I would love for JDaniel to learn to be sensitive to other people’s feelings.

    Reply
  13. Darcie Maranich says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:00 am

    Beautiful sentiments, as always.

    PS. Something tells me that he’s going to get it just right.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 29, 2012 at 10:17 pm

      I hope so, he is such a sweet boy, I hope I can keep him that way.

      Reply
  14. Heather says

    August 27, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    I hope that someday they can appreciate each other, though that seems unlikely after a summer together. 🙂

    Gorgeous picture and words to live by!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 27, 2012 at 10:47 pm

      I hope that all the time too, that my kids grow up loving and appreciating other. One of these days right?

      Reply
  15. By Word of Mouth Musings says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    So sweet … smile indeed!

    Reply
  16. My Inner Chick says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    b e a u t i f u l <3

    Reply
  17. julie gardner says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    What a perfect metaphor…

    Yes.

    We should all go through life with our lips smiling, our hands cupped, appreciating what we’ve been given….

    Love.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:23 am

      I try and I hope that my kids always will too. I’m sure there will be years of asking for more and more and more but hopefully they will remember what is truly important.

      Reply
  18. Sarah says

    August 27, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    I love this soooo much!!!

    Reply
  19. Lanie says

    August 27, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    He is so adorable. There are so many things I hope that they appreciate – if I had to pick just one I think I might go with wiping. . .xo

    Reply
  20. Born27 says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Its truly true that you have to appreciate what you have now..Thanks a lot for the analogy..

    Reply
  21. Jackie says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I love the picture. Such a sweet moment captured.

    I hope that my kids grow up to appreciate the little things that people do for them. Those little things add up and can really make your life brighter.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:22 am

      Completely agree and if they understand this they will do the little things too.

      Reply
  22. Lady Jennie says

    August 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I love the image you presented at the end – with the cupped hand, face up, waiting to get the treats. What an imagery for life and its blessings.

    Reply
  23. christine says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Oh, wow, yes. This is just beautiful. (I never thought about it in that way before, but I know that I will now, every time I help them cup their hands.)

    Reply
  24. Practical Parenting says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:26 am

    I love this imagery. Yes, this will be practiced for years to come…and you will savor each moment. xo

    Reply
  25. Stacey says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Beautiful. I love the chubbiness of a baby’s hands. Perfect descritpion.

    Reply
  26. Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:06 am

    Beautiful, sweet words.

    I hope mine grow to appreciate that we live rural.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:21 am

      I think that would be such a cool way to grow up, I hope they appreciate it too.

      Reply
  27. Ashley says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:49 am

    Its an inspiring message…Its truly true that you have to appreciate what you have now..Thanks a lot for the analogy..

    Reply
  28. Barbara says

    August 27, 2012 at 5:09 am

    Such a beautiful picture. The love of a grandparent is amazing.

    I hope my kids will appreciate their family and more importantly each other.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:20 am

      I do too. I know there will be many moments of sibling arguments to come but I hope they truly know how lucky they are to have each other.

      Reply
  29. Kristin @ What She Said says

    August 26, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    Lovely message, lovely analogy. 🙂

    Reply
  30. Alison says

    August 26, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    What is it about pictures of grandparents with their precious bundles of grandchildren goodness?

    Lovely lesson. I hope my children grow up to appreciate the small things. And each other.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:19 am

      I hope the exact same thing.

      Reply
  31. Stacie says

    August 26, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    What a sweet picture!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:19 am

      Thank you, my husband took it and I couldn’t wait to share it here.

      Reply
  32. angela says

    August 26, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    Gorgeous snuggle shot!

    I hope I can help them learn that laughter makes everything just a little bit better (the good AND the bad things that life throws at us).

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      August 30, 2012 at 8:19 am

      Couldn’t agree more, we have to be able to laugh at ourselves.

      Reply

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