I dedicated my capstone to my son. Some time between writing my acknowledgement page and crying over not getting an offer after interviewing for a “once-in-a-lifetime” job, I forgot that. I started to wonder why I had gone to grad school, what my MAPP degree was good for, what the study of well-being had been about.
This moment right here? This is what it’s about. I haven’t used my MAPP degree much in a formal, professional sense. But I have noticed MAPP reflected in the way my husband and I handle setbacks, in the way we grieved the loss of my father-in-law (by throwing a Memorial Party rather than a wake and funeral), and in how we’ve grown as parents.
This moment — born out of an honest conversation about how we want to create more intentional family rituals, teach our son new things, and, dare I say, add more zest to our routine — was the first time both my son and husband joined me in making dinner. We used to split up during the dinner prep portion of our evening, either with both parents managing parts of a meal while our son played, or with one tending to him while the other cooked. We’ve now made it a more communal effort. This first time ignited gratitude, joy, serenity, hope, pride, awe, and love so strongly that the feelings warmed my chest and arms. They flexed my smile muscles, lifting my cheeks higher toward my eyes.
This is the kind of moment I’m investing in – moments that create stronger bonds within our family; moments that give me somatic experiences of positive emotions and (hopefully) give my son a sense of empowerment and encouragement; moments that remind me what it’s all about.
