Life has many layers.
Some layers are close together, intertwined to form a tight pattern.
Others are further apart, allowing us to see the space between.
And when you step back and look at it from afar, it forms a beautiful shape.
Like the petals of a rose.
Without these many layers, our lives wouldn't have nearly as much depth and beauty,
We don't take that step back often enough in my opinion.
To pause and look at life and all of its layers for what they are.
The death of a family member.
A story told for all to read.
A teenager, beginning to make plans for college.
Another teenager, looking forward to high school.
The start of a new career.
These are the layers in my life at this moment.
Each of these need to be processed and worked through independently, but yet everything overlaps.
I can't completely separate any of them.
They all touch my life and the lives of those around me in some small way every day.
The feelings I'm processing about the death of my mother and reflections on my childhood impact how I interact with my boys. It's an opportunity for them to learn more about me, and their extended family.
Which then shapes their view of their world in a slightly different way.
The book that I wrote shared a side of my life with many people who had never seen me that way before.
It gives them a new perspective and changes the way I'm viewed as we interact.
My boys are growing more independent every day, challenging me with their viewpoints, seeking autonomy, and learning to accept and deal with life's consequences.
Which means they need me in a different way. I have to adjust how I parent them.
My new career will bring new friends, new opportunities and help me support my family. It will expand my view of the world and foster a new sense of productivity and purpose.
Which then translates to a stronger mom and role model for my boys.
You see how the layers overlap?
Painting a picture, a reflection, of the nuance of our lives.
Yet another example of how this perfectly imperfect life is both messy and beautiful at the same time.
Embrace your layers.
Marvel in them.
And don't forget to step back and enjoy the view once in awhile.
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