Tag: life lessons

children, mommyhood

The Example

WFAM

I’m trying to teach Full Speed not to point out people who are different from him and make fun. He has already made some pretty embarrassing comments about a boy who weighed considerably more than him, and a man with an overflowing afro. I have had many discussions with him about the things that make us different are the things that make us special. I also use the example that if someone pointed out that Full Speed wears glasses and thinks it’s funny, how hurtful that might feel to him. His glasses are what makes him unique and being unique is quite amazing.

So, we are eating at Applebee’s and Full Speed notices a tattoo-covered man reach his arms over his head to stretch. I see what is about to happen as a little, devilish smile creeps across Full Speed’s face. He is just about to poke and make fun of the man’s tattoo-covered arms when I give him my meanest mommy-glare. His demeanor shifts instantly and he looks up at me with innocent eyes.

“I was just going to ask what that guy was doing, Mom. I wasn’t going to make fun of him (of course he says this at a loud volume possibly defeating any lesson I am trying to teach).”

I have to give it to him, Full Speed always has a creative defense whenever he is caught in the act of something naughty. I would poke fun at this but I’m trying to set a good example.

children, gratitude, loss of parent, self-discovery

Happy New Year

WFAM

2009 was a landmark year for me. In the spring I lost my mother to cancer, and then into the fall my oldest son, Full Speed, braved two tedious eye surgeries and came through with much improved vision. The event that shaped the year the most was the loss of my mother. The grief process has been long and complicated. I have learned that the more you love someone, the harder it is to let go of them no matter how complex the relationship was while they were here. I also learned that the more you have to rely on your own strength to get through a day, the more you realize you actually have a lot more than you initially thought.

The most exciting and anxiety producing moments revolved around Full Speed’s eye surgeries. I learned that when you don’t know the ultimate outcome of a medical situation to always choose hope. It gets you through the moment and when you realize your most desperate prayer has been heard, you feel a mixture of relief and a certainty that you knew it would be alright all a long.

As for T.Puzzle, as much as I resisted it, the terrible twos will keep on going into the threes. Most likely I will have to wait until he is five before I can safely and confidently take him in public. I had always wished my second child would be slightly easier to manage and in some ways he is, but ultimately an even-tempered child is not in the cards for me.

Having survived loss, uncertainty, tantrums and joy, I am most grateful to have the ultimate partner in parenthood and marriage, Mad Dog. When I started my little blog that could several months ago, Mad Dog’s support has been a constant source of comfort and inspiration. His patience as I grieve for my Mom and my attempts to successfully parent our boys is remarkable. I love that I am creating a life with a man I love so much.

And, last but certainly not least, is this amazing blog. I started it for the simple reason that writing for me is like breathing. It is an absolute joy for me to sit at my computer and share my thoughts. As a stay-at-home mom it gives me a voice. I hope that my readers can find themselves in this voice. Hopefully you can relate, if not I hope that at least you can find the humor that surrounds us always. I’m excited to see where my boys take me in this New Year (hopefully not to the looney bin) and I hope you keep on reading.

Whether you are a man or woman, married or single, or a parent or not, life’s adventures always have a universal theme of love connecting them together. All anyone ever wants is to love and be loved. Everything else is just gravy.