I have always loved this expression. For me it sounds more like a way of life; I remember reading it and instantly bring inspired by it. I felt like “Wow how good that must feel as a kids to have your parents just “collect” you”. For me it implies security, warmth, embrace and direction. It is everything I aspire to both as a parent and as a human being in general.
So a few weeks ago after coming home from work, I reminded myself of the importance of collecting my kids and I did just that as I walked in the door. All weekend the term has been on my mind and all weekend has made a difference in the connectedness of our family.
Thursday , a few weeks ago was a blissful amazing day because I went back to work after being off a stay at home mommy for two days following our summer vacation at the cottage. My office smelled so damn good when I got there-I even loved the buzz of my computer. A thousand complex problems to solve, a thousand emails and people barking at my door on deadlines felt heavenly peaceful and comforting compared to my lovely ,but out of my comfort zone, domesticity of the previous two days. Work is so natural while being at home mon-fri just feels weird. Good but weird.
So coming home Thursday night I knew how very important my work home transition would be to kids who were off all day playing, swimming and goofing off. They were all sitting on the couch watching TV and so I went to each one and hugged them tight and coddled them just like when they were infants. I commented on what they were wearing and looked deep into their eyes. The weekend same thing: each time I was near them I paid attention, cuddled them and collected them in my heart.
When I do it right it feels just like a warm and soft and fuzzy blanket being wrapped around us all-it feels like coming home.
So why is it so often difficult and hard to collect them? To let myself feel this amazing feeling? Why do I feel it so difficult to collect my husband since I know that this would be so welcomed by him? In collecting I feel that I fall in love so much harder- and feeling so much love hurts if ever you lose it right?
So for now I focus on teaching myself to collect them all as often as I can and bask in it’s sunshine. It’s a bit like when you are really angry and losing control and someone says"please collect yourself” I want to be this control for my kids , this inner voice that assures them that I am there always background or forefront looking out for them and helping them make good choices and decisions.
Collecting them like precious gems.
