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As a parent, patience is something you can never have too much of. My lessons in cultivating this have continued for decades. Each time I believe myself sufficiently patient,another life story comes my way.
I was waiting for a taxi to take me from one city event to the next. I was already late and there wasn't an empty taxi in sight. The corners were lined with people also waiting, as I asked for help. Inner guidance walked me to another block that I'd not have previously considered.
As I ran, a bicyclist's yellow jacket caught my eye. Her face came into focus, I recognized it to be the smiling one of a colleague arriving home from work. As my anxiety poured forth, she took charge, looking for her Taxi Magic app and more reliable service to my dinner date. 
I'd like to say that the taxi arrived immediately but, it didn't. I still arrived late although no longer anxious  What I've learned about that episode from this morning's journaling was invaluable. But,that's another story.

 I'm reminded of being with a young student/friend this weekend on a quest to replace a wooden figure eaten by her little dog. It was a sunbird but, she now wanted a dragon. Her mom and I had taken her through several stores with no success. She sensed the expedition coming to a close and lamented:
"I need a miracle."  
"I have a photo of a sign that was around the corner from your home. A cardboard sign that read, Need A Miracle."
I showed it to her and suggested another store, Tibetan, that was nearby.
She searched and eventually found her miracle, a small wooden Dragon that she immediately loved.
"I found a miracle, I found a miracle," she chanted walking by a large statue of Ganesh.
"I need a miracle, too," I said aloud, following her lead.
And from what I thought to be Ganesh's mouth but, turned out to come from the woman kneeling before him, came the answer, "Pray."
"Pray," she repeated, in case I missed the message.

Leaving a coaching session where the child's parent had entered the play, I was smiling with the insights acquired. From around the corner, a painted taxi careened and came to an abrupt halt in my path.
Forced away from my thoughts on the fascinating parent-child session, I read the sign on the taxi's opening door: "You're never too old to play."

Parenting is a life-long practice. As children grow and become independent, there are continual decisions to be made regarding interaction. Deciding when to offer advice and comfort; and when to stand back and observe their self-reliance is a tricky one. It's helpful for me to know that while trying out one strategy, I can always change my mind, mid-stream, when I feel an inner push.

    Waking one recent morning with an unfamiliar voice speaking to me from inside my own head, "And what about gratitude," I paid attention.
     I'd fallen asleep worrying and asking for help. In the past I've had amazing dreams that have helped me uncover my own inner wisdom. But, this was different, it wasn't a dream. It was a disembodied voice asking me, "And what about gratitude?" 
     I woke up, walked into the park and all along the way gave thanks for everything in my path. 
     Simple reminders can have beneficial effects on our attitudes and our lives.