I have learned that part of belonging to a thriving community is ensuring that folks are self-expressed: fully.  That is when we really get to shine and show just what we are made of- we get to make the world a better place.  I have also learned that sometimes in order for that to happen it means that they have to leave a particular geographical location in order to do just that.  And there we are left- with a hole in our heart.  There is a missing.

But what if that missing is really a clearing for something else?  Yanno- that one door closes another one opens, blah, blah, blah?  But instead, what if that door never actually closes?

Ok, getting into the details and less about the concepts... my family has been blessed with a woman in our son's life for the past year or so that, I swear, IS magic.  She sees the beauty in all things and ensured that the children continued to see it around them.  She did not get caught up in Life "lifeing" at her and allow it to stop her from living on her terms.  There could not have been a better being in our son's life than her.  Recently I heard someone refer to her as Mary Poppins in the flesh and by George, they were spot on!  As Mr. Banks says, "It's that woman, Mary Poppins. From the moment she stepped into this house, things began to happen to me!".

Our Mary Poppins left for The Big Apple today and she will be greatly missed by not only our family but more than a dozen families that she contributed to.  I have been more teary eyed over her leaving than I truly expected.  I mean, I have had plenty of partings- why is this one so different?  I blamed it on it being the first major parting for our son- but really, he didn't seem to mind.  It was just what was so to him.  Then I thought that it was because I was considering the impact on the many children that she has had.  But that wasn't it either.  I was saddened, no grieving, for the loss of pure magic on a near daily in my life.  I was having to let go of someone that I connected with- you know those people that you would trust your soul with when you first meet them, yeah- she was one of those!  I didn't want to let go.  So I am choosing not to- it is all choice after all.

Now I don't mean getting all creepy and stalker like!  What I mean is that, in this case, I don't have to let her 'go'.  If I enlarge my perspective of my community then she never left it- she just changed positions within in it.  And if I choose to see the 'missing' as a space for another person to come into, then I enlarge my community again.  And what if your desire for Magic in your world becomes so deep that it is you that takes the helm?  Can you imagine?

Our Mary Poppins is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory and is going on to New York to take her place on stage.  She will be living her life fully self-expressed in areas that are truly important to her- enriching everyone that comes in contact with, taking New York by storm.  By her act of courage in striking it out her own, not only is my life is more enriched but the children have a role model in their lives of someone daring to dream and to take action to fulfill on those dreams as well.

If you have someone in your life that brings you something special and enriches you in some way, I invite you to acknowledge them and let them know.  And should someone thank you, don't brush off- be responsible for the magic that you bring to our world!  It is all a part of creating our thriving community.

I love my family
I love my town
I love our world
and I love you!
(yes, you)

PS- I am using this as practice, or example, for when our older children choose to leave. Hopefully this post will serve as a reminder  ;-)