Ashley Judd Instagram – I’ve always felt a deep, human need for play & fun—perhaps because of the nature of this world. “Carefree timelessness.” As “Henri Nouwen said, “The spirituality of vulnerability.”Does that speak to you? It calls to me, deeply.
In recent years, fellow Adult Children of families with a lot of abandonment/deprivation growing up have shown me how to become my own Inner Loving Parent—how to go deep inside myself to supply the gentleness, humor, love, and respect I needed as a child. I’ve discovered I can actually provision myself with boundless comfort, acceptance, and guidance. My Higher Power is the taproot. The child within each of us is eternal, waiting to be noticed, and is a genuine connection to the Divine.
One expression of the new depth of my healing has been “reparenting” my younger self. So, on April 19th—my 57th birthday—I hosted a garden party not for the adult me, but for the sweet little girl inside. I called it my 9 & Shine birthday, recognizing my inner 9-year-old. Joyful, innocent, trusting.
She wanted to play, with safety and freedom, with her Chosen Family by giggling, and lying on our backs to gaze at the wide sky, running barefoot through spring grass, blowing bubbles, twirling, and delighting in the wonder of flowers. No competition. No coarseness. Just tenderness and whimsy. This little part of me wanted to share a gift for each guest, have Sunday School, lie on old quilts and, oh yes, cuddle. She so loves to cuddle. She is trusting, friendly. (God save me from cynicism.)
How brave & beautiful. How Jesus-like, to be so open-hearted. What a high—and humble—bar Jesus set when Jesus invited: “Be like a child,” and that “the kin-dom belongs to children.” So happy birthday, Little Me. I attuned and heard you. I’m deeply honored that my friends did, too. They listened to their own inner children—trusted, played, and were still.
When was the last time you were still? Is something inside you longing for softness, wonder, or play? What gift can you offer your younger self today?
PS Yes, like any proper 9 year old, I laughed so hard I wet myself, after it looked like I laid an egg. (Peeing yourself, authentication of unselfconscious laughter!) | Posted on 01/May/2025 02:28:18
