My Village

They say it takes a village to raise a child and I've come to realize they're right.  In modern day terms: it takes a whole town.  A combination of parents, grandparents, coaches, friends, neighbors, teachers, and anyone else you deem worthy to be in your/their lives. When someone takes an outside look into my life they may see a single mom raising two kids on her own.  And they would be partly right, but with a closer look they may realize that's not the entire picture.  They failed to notice the grandparents standing there helping, not only financially,  but also, historically,  by contributing parenting advice to help guide you through the hard times and the transitions of childhood and adolescence from their own experiences. The close friends that lend an ear when screaming is all a parent wants to do, by offering the shoulder to cry on when things just get too overwhelming to handle, and the emotional baggage they help you carry when your hands are just too full to carry the load alone.  The coaches, that help you by enforcing that praise is earned through hard work and determination for those willing to put in the work, for giving of their time to help them excel at something that is their passion, and to assist them in developing a mental toughness that they will need to pursue their dreams in life.  The neighbors, to remind them that someone is always watching so be the best you at all times and others will notice.  Teachers, to give them the knowledge to become anything in this life that they want to be.  Other parents (band, sports, dance, or any other kind), to become emotionally attached to your children in a way that allows them to offer genuine words of encouragement when they may need it most or simply,  just an ear from time to time.
 I have been very fortunate in having so many in my village that love and care for my children.  The more my village expands so does my heart with love and respect for so many others.  I only hope that my contribution has been as valuable to others as theirs has been to me and mine.  Thank you, my "village" for helping me raise my two Mongrels so far!  I couldn't do it without all of you.   ❤👏