I feel connected to humankind… which is not to say that I reveal myself to, and share myself with everyone. I am consciously selective of my tribe. But to be in the presence of diversity and to feel the ways in which we are the same, over the ways in which we are different, feeds my soul and awakens my realization that gratitude, happiness and fulfillment are not the products of a standardized checklist.
There is great beauty – externally, yes – but even more vibrant on the inside – in the traditions of moms all over the world.
My baby boy is now a man – a man who grew up watching his mom work hard; who knew, from her actions, how important family and community were in leading a truly healthy and meaningful life. I don’t look like the mom pictured here; I don’t speak her language and I don’t have her skills, but it was clear to me, when I looked in her eyes, that her baby boy will take on similar parenting lessons and values, just by her example.
