Humbled by a Letter

Parenting is hard and never ending. Mothers and fathers begin their days early and often don’t end until late into the night. Sometimes the kids do the exact opposite of everything we ask. And in the same breathe do everything we don’t want them to do. Frustration is a common term in parenthood. It sometimes describes how i feel in the morning trying to get the kids ready for school. It can also describe how I feel after a long day at work, when I come to to cook their favorite foods only to discover they are no longer their favorite foods. Wasted food and time. It was one of these days in which i was humbled by a letter. After a busy day at work, I walked into he house, sat my bags down and walked straight to the kitchen. I quickly began cooking dinner. While cooking dinner, my knees begin to ache. I have been standing and walking all day, and it’s now 6pm. While dinner simmers, I check backpacks, conduct folders and begrudgingly get the kids started on homework. They don’t have much, but most nights it’s like pulling teeth. Finally, homework is done, dinner and done and i can finally sit down. But before I could breathe a sigh of relief, the complaints come rolling in. “I don’t like this.” “I’m full.” (Even though he/she has touched one morsel of food.) “I don’t want to eat.” “I don’t like my zucchini squishy.” “I just want chicken.” “Do we have any ranch?”
And in that moment, I wasn’t upset, I was dejected. The day had beaten me low and now the night was taking its toll on me. I rose from the table slowly and told Hubby that I was going change into my pajamas and read until I fall asleep.
I walk into my bed room and in the center of the bed is a  folded letter. I seize the letter and begin reading it. As I read the letter, my knees buckle, my eyes begin to water and my soul is humbled. So effortlessly, I am reminded of the purpose for all that I do. The letter is from Aiden.​

Dear Parents, I would like to thank you for everything you do for me. You help me with my work, my studies and the work around me. I know that you are working very hard so I hope this will soothe you. You are the best people in the world and I want you to know that, by heart and soul.
From,
Aiden
(On the back)
You are the best
You and all the rest
I love you so hard
There is no guard
that can stop us
I love U!
It’s worth it. GOD!!! It’s ALL WORTH IT. The early mornings are worth it. The uneaten meals are worth it. The frustrations are worth it. The midnight hours in which I pondered and worry about the person they will become and how life will be for them IS WORTH IT.
My child sees me! He SEES me. All that I do is not in vain. To be recognized by my own child is so humbling. He knows that we work hard. He appreciates that we help him with his work and with navigating this crazy world we live in. This letter did more than soothe by dejected soul, it humbled me. I don’t live for validation, but it sure feels good.

---