Life will have all kinds of bullies. My daughter will face her fair share of unfair treatment and some more push-her-down moments. I want her to know I will ALWAYS be on her side.
Hey there! I’m Mikala—a family doctor, wife, mother of 5, well-being advocate, and author of the books Ordinary on Purpose and Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife. Each month my writing reaches millions of women, but I am thrilled to be connecting with YOU. I’m truly grateful to have you here!
All in Life
Life will have all kinds of bullies. My daughter will face her fair share of unfair treatment and some more push-her-down moments. I want her to know I will ALWAYS be on her side.
When we unwrapped that big box, my daughter squealed!! “Momma, did you know they would be this PRETTY???” Then I turned my beloved Barbies over in my hands a few times and ran my finger down the braids tied with my old hair ties as I told my little girl their names. It felt like a full circle moment…
My book. It’s the ONE thing I’ve ever done because I want to. Not because I need to or someone asked me to or I’m supposed to. Writing just fills my heart!
Because all this hustle and bustle? And all this stuff to DO? It means I’m really living this good, hard, ordinary life.
And I learned everything I know about kindness from being unkind.
And life is hard. But that doesn’t mean we’re doing it wrong, it just means we are living.
And I’m pretty sure I have a lot to learn from a girl like that.
We are responsible TO our children for things like food and clothing and shelter and an environment in which they can learn and grow and be themselves. But we are not responsible FOR our children’s choices.
In tiny glimpses, it ALL feels like enough. My life. This hard, broken world. Me, even.
I’ll be grateful I chose fun and love and food and laughter and people and connection and joy. I’ll be grateful I truly LIVED!!!
What if I don't want anything MORE? Or need anything MORE? What if I refuse to STRIVE anymore!?!
Because usually it’s in my pain that I’m reminded of His ridiculous, unending, unfailing love.
I mean, don’t we know what we need to do to take care of ourselves? And our family?? Don’t all those routines and best practices exist for a reason?
This realization is perhaps the best gift I can give my children, really, because it takes the pressure off.
This little cutie-patootie saw the sun yesterday. And frankly, I owe her a few apologies.
Life is complicated and messy and hard. Yet sometimes the beauty of an ordinary moment quite nearly takes my breath away.