It Takes A Village

It takes a village to raise a child. A saying we have all heard but no one knows exactly where it came from. Regardless of the origin, it is an accurate description of a typical American childhood. When you think about your own upbringing, remember the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, friends and acquaintances that have had an influence on your life and who you are as a person. Sometimes members of the village are needed for support and assistance, sometimes for advice, celebration and sometimes just for a hug.



Lately I have been thinking a lot about the village that is helping me with my babies, because I have been needing to ask for assistance. My car has been broken down for over a week and every day I have to figure out how I will get Gavin home from school. On days that it is warm enough I can just put Olivia in the baby carrier and walk to go get him, but unfortunately we are smack dab in the middle of January in Indiana. It isn't exactly walking weather most days. How fortunate I am to have a village. Between Paul's twin sister, who lives nearby, and my brother in law, who works nearby, I have been able to make sure that someone is there to get him every day.

Delving deeper into thinking about our village, I think about all of the different experiences that our kids, and specifically Gavin, have gotten to share with such an eclectic mix of people. Vacations with grandparents. Hearing what Poppa from New York thinks about something, compared to their West Coast uncle, compared to all of us Midwesterners. Growing up with openly gay grandfathers that let them know from birth that it is okay to love who you love. Learning about their great grandparents surviving the Holocaust. And all of these specific instances barely scratch the surface of impressions that my kids get to have from the amazing members of our village.

I see the reflections of the people we love regularly in both Gavin and Olivia. How lucky we are to have our specific people because I can't imagine who my children would be without each and every one of them.

To our people: Thank you and we love you!

See you soon,