2014

2014. That escalated quickly. You'll be seven this year; Mama's favorite number and your golden birthday. 2014 is going to be so rad.

I'm not one on big resolutions at all. What I am big on is the good stuff- being a better person every single day of the year. Slowing the eff down. Swearing less (maybe). Detoxing. Unplugging. Choosing people over things. And being the best example I can be to you. This covers all facets of my life, not just the Mama shawl I wear. So that includes stopping at yellow lights just like you implore me to (this is ILLEGAL by the police to drive through yellow lights!) and eating less salt and being more productive in my work days. I need to have the endless energy to embrace all those teachable moments that occur in everyday life instead of just letting them pass because they seem too massive, too rude, too real. So keep asking me all those questions, little badger of mine. Take nothing at face value, and make motherhood sort of daunting for me. I need it. I want it.

My word for 2014 is gratitude. I am challenging myself to find three things a day to be grateful for, no matter how hard it seems, or how trivial my items are. Joy is joy. No one except your own damn self can feel or see the joy that your own shit brings you. Trust me on that. For you, it's plastic horses, CheezIts, and PBS. For me, it's coffee, music, and accessories. People call me crazy, and they call you crazy, but it doesn't matter. My word for 2014 is gratitude. Today I am grateful for steel-cut oatmeal, YouTube, and hot water. And on December 31, I will read you many, many more because I am writing them down. I have always said I want you to know me ... the me that is me, not only your Mama. But I'm proud to say the two are awfully identical.

My goals for 2014 is to resume sending birthday cards and drink more tea. Because? Screw social media. It doesn't matter how many people on your feeds wish you a happy birthday. It's just not the same as a handwritten, snailmailed card. You are going to be part of that revolution, too, because I will not let traditional correspondence die with my generation, and we're coming close to its funeral. Hell no. And tea? Because I love it, always have and know that it would make me happy if I drank more of it.

Your goal for 2014 is to visit the Black Hills. True story. God, I love you. I promise Daddy and I will work hard to make that dream of yours come true.

As ever- lyrics for you on the dawn of this lovely new year- Wild Country, by Wake Owl;

What will become of the truth when we keep it in 
things we don't remember when they ask us when 
we did the things that we learned we shouldn't do again 
what wasn't learned from mistakes, we will make them 

Maybe this is my heart and maybe it is yours 
burns away the eyes peering in our doors 

If I want to leave I will, stand on my feet I do 
only takes these words you never believe are true 
I'm never gonna chase something, it's a total waste running 
after what they take in hundreds, look at what they praise, nothing 

Oh we go where we don't know the way 
fire meets fire we run and it's all the same 
Oh we go where we don't know the way 

Maybe this is my heart and maybe it is yours 
burns away the eyes peering in our doors 

If I want to leave I will, stand on my feet I do 
only takes these words you never believe are true 
I'm never gonna chase something, it's a total waste running 
after what they take in hundreds, look at what they praise, nothing 
If I want to leave I will, stand on my feet I do 
only takes these words you never believe are true

Happy New Year, Kid Rock.

Mama loves.