Heartwarming Photos: Love in the Animal Kingdom

From the Huffington Post: Incredible Photos That Prove True Love Exists. 

Here are just a few of my favorites.  You can see more at the link above.

 

Slowing Down

This is another favorite of mine from  Hands Free Mama that reminds us cherish the moments we have, particularly with our children, and to be mindful of what they can teach us as we hurry through life. 

An excerpt:

I started my sentences with it. Hurry up, we’re gonna be late. 

I ended sentences with it. We’re going to miss everything if you don’t hurry up. 

I started my day with it. Hurry up and eat your breakfast.

Hurry up and get dressed.

I ended my day with it. Hurry up and brush your teeth. Hurry up and get in bed. 

And although the words “hurry up” did little if nothing to increase my child’s speed, I said them anyway. Maybe even more than the words, “I love you.”

The truth hurts, but the truth heals … and brings me closer to the parent I want to be.

Then one fateful day, things changed. We’d just picked my older daughter up from kindergarten and were getting out of the car. Not going fast enough for her liking, my older daughter said to her little sister, “You are so slow.” And when she crossed her arms and let out an exasperated sigh, I saw myself—and it was a gut-wrenching sight.

I was a bully who pushed and pressured and hurried a small child who simply wanted to enjoy life.

My eyes were opened; I saw with clarity the damage my hurried existence was doing to both of my children.

Here is what can happen when we let young minds into our vision.  An artist lets her 4 year old child finish her drawings and look at what comes out of it. 

 

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