In the Motherhood

Live the life you Love

Love the Life you Live

I came across this quote the other day and I love it. It's Simple, sweet and 100% right on......

Yesterday I was shamelessly watching Oprah ( I know she is so yesterday) but I am intrigued by her subject matters and guests, so forgive me. Yesterday's topic was motherhood, although I didn't watch the whole hour it got me thinking about motherhood and here are some of my thoughts:

I actually like motherhood. I chose it. I figured it may be difficult at times, but knew it would always be worth it. I never felt like I had to give up something to be a mom, because this is what I always wanted to do. (I joyfully gave up my school teaching digs so that I could stay home) Taking care of my own 4 kids is much more fun then 20 first graders. So when I went from other peoples children to just taking care of my own little sweet bundle of yumminess, motherhood didn't feel so overwhleming.

Truth be told I sometimes wish I had more free time, but to keep my sanity I try to make time for the things I enjoy doing.....I am a firm believer in balance in all things. Although sometimes my balance is off a little, but I do try to keep it in check. I know someday I will have time to myself and then I will look in my children's empty bedrooms and yearn to hear their chatter and teasing. So in this moment that I have to raise them I will try not to yearn too much for alone time, because I know it will come and perhaps quicker then I expect.

Here comes my judgey side:

Some of the moms on the show just wanted to complain about how hard it is and claim they can only take showers twice a week. The one comment that really threw me was one lady saying she had to mourn the person she was before she had kids. Mourn???? I usually save that word for real loss and tragedies. Sure I am a different person and have a different focus, but I'd like to think a better person less selfish and more loving. Of course things are different, but I don't really feel I need to mourn who I use to be in order to be who I am now. Maybe it's been so long that I don't remember who I use to be? Anyway, I turned off the show when I heard that comment. None of these moms that were spotlighted had children with diabilities or that were terminally ill. Talk to a mom facing that challenge and you will suddenly feel your petty complaints ain't so hard to deal with anymore. I am not trying to discount the mundane, the thankless, the irritating and challenging parts of motherhood. It's not like their aren't days, hours and minutes when I want to scream, wail and nash my teeth, because there are many. It just helps me get through the day when I look at the big picture and look for the small treausres and blessings each day. I promise it's not always rainbows and butterflies here at our house. Sometimes I feel I just may go crazy if I have to repeat myself for the 100th time before someone responds, or pick up one more da#% lego.

At the end of the day I feel so lucky and blessed to get to do what I do. I am a realist and know that's things aren't always so peachy for others. Some women work and raise a family, some do it all on their own, some face sickness, diease and disabilities, some live with constant sadness and sorrow, some face challenges I can't even imagine, some are covered with 3rd degree burns all over their body, some live in poverty, some live with abuse, some never have the chance to be a mother and even some of those mom's have a smile on their face and do it with grace and gratitude....And that my friend it what gives me more power and strength.

*oprah disclaimer, remember I didn't watch the entire show, so before you tell me I am totally off it was just the feeling I got from the beginning of the show.