Life. A beautiful mother I had met a few times in our town passed away this week from cancer. She was exactly my age, 42. She lived in a beautiful house, had a loving husband and a seven year old daughter, a loving family, and many, many friends. 42 is too young. No child should ever be left without a mother.
This week I had quite a few times when I felt overwhelmed by my mothering duties. I worried after a college planning meeting, I felt inadequate after I grew frustrated in the after school frenzy/carpool/dinner prep, I felt deep sadness after I dropped off Patrick for his first little preschool day. Am I doing enough, being the mother I want to be? Can I embrace change in a healthy way, or will I always live with the sadness of letting my children go little by little? Do I have what it takes to make good decisions, and help my children make them also?
And then I am reminded that this-whatever this holds- is life. Every day is precious whether it is spent with tissues, with preoccupation, with frustration, with sadness. I get to experience it all-I get to figure it out, day by day, hour by hour. I get to see my children grow away from me, I get to do 100 things at once while someone calls "Mom, mom, mom" over and over again and my brain feels jumbled. I get to make endless lists, I get to drive carpool, I get to work through hard days.
What would so many trade for just one more day whether it was hard or easy, happy or sad?
So this is what I am grateful for this week: every day I get to spend on earth.
Life is precious.
Very wise words and something we all need to be reminded of from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI too find it hard to let go as my children are gradually getting a little older. No longer babies and only one toddler amongst 4 of them.
Its emotional and hard, but we are so lucky to experience it!
What a nice post!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Beautifully said, Sarah. Thank you. Prayers for that family...
ReplyDeleteSo very, very true Sarah.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that.
have a happy (and grateful) day!!
Its hard to remember the gifts we are given when in the midst of the frenzy of ordinary days, but ordinary days, chaotic and all, are a treasure. I don't do well to remember this, but your post, and the fact that there are mothers and children and fathers and grandparents facing ill health, death, and all kinds of awful things, thanks for the reminder to be grateful for the whole big package of life.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said Sarah. Prayers for that family. Having both of my girls as Seniors this year (one high school, one college), I was experiencing that difficult feeling of letting them go, seeing them grow away from me...but I found great comfort in the fact that wanting it all back would mean they would not have had all the wonderful life experiences and accomplishments they have had, and I wouldn't take that away from them ever! Instead, I will cherish the time we have spent and look forward to all the new and excting things that they will continue to experience.
ReplyDeleteoh, shoot, that made me all teary.
ReplyDeleteSo true Sarah - exactly what I have been feeling this week also. I lost a very dear friend recently who was only 57 and we still don't know why she was taken from us. When I am having a hard day, am stressed and snapping at my family - I remember her family and the void she has left for all who knew her. Your post hit the spot and I thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've been lurking here for a while. love it here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this heartfelt post. I agree no child should have to grow up without a mother. Life, the "day by day-ness" is so very precious!
Thank you- just what I needed to hear today.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Just what I need to start my Fri morning!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said and so true. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.... I have tears in my coffee now. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to always do this for me Sarah. I have 2 girls that wake up and go to bed at each other's throat's right now. Thanks for reminding me I am grateful - even for that.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna be a little more patient this weekend...
So true. Last week I put this quote up in my house. "Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are."
ReplyDeleteSo many would give anything for just one more "normal" (ie crazy, hectic, wonderful) day.
Beautiful post. Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend! :)
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ReplyDeleteSara, this is exactly what I needed to read this morning. It was one of 'those' mornings today trying feverishly to get three grumpy kids to school. I was not at my best. I feel completely overwhelmed and utterly unqualified for this role of motherhood sometimes. It's good to know we're not alone in this job, isn't it? I will pray for that sweet family that lost their wife, mother, daughter, friend. What a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a happy day today :)
Hi! I never comment, but I can't get this out of my head, which is silly because it's a very silly comment. It doesn't regard this post, although as very brain-jumbled mom of 5, I loved this post. Love all your posts. So, the silly part of my comment regards a different post when you mentioned that you use garlic from a jar already minced for ease. I've gone that route in the past, too. Now, I cannot ever go back to that because the taste/flavor difference is just so incredible. I really don't like having my hands stink like garlic from peeling it, so I use the garlic press from Pampered Chef. You never peel, just pop in the clove, squeeze out the minced garlic, then pop out the skin. I know there are other brands of peelers that do this not, not just Pampered Chef. The difference is so worth it! I just made garlic spaghetti (how have I never seen this recipe?) & instead of slicing 6 cloves of garlic, I used my press which was easier & I liked the results better than slicing. I also use 1 raw garlic clove per avocado for guacamole & it's so good! I also use raw garlic this way when I make twice-baked potatoes. About 1 clove per 1-2 potatoes, if they're the big Costco kind. Anyways, just needed to get that out of my head! Love your blog! Keep up the good work! Sherri in Sammamish, Wa
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for about a week now, and it's time for me to tell you how much I enjoy your posts! This one in particular really touched my heart...it's been overwhelming over here at my home too this week. Thank you--and so nice to meet you.
ReplyDelete:) Jodi
Life is SO precious...it makes me sad I have to be reminded of this ;( Thank you Sarah :) as always, your blog truly lifts me up :)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful thoughts. I agree that life is so precious and sometimes we just need little reminders of that while in the middle of our own chaos. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThis is my heart today too. My husband is chosing to change jobs which means more Dad for my kids but it will mean less Mom as I will have to go back to work at least part time. It wont be right away but all of a sudden the frustrations and difficulty of my stay at home days seems light and fleeting. I am prepared to cherish these last few months in this role. God bless us in our daily life.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah, you never fail to inspire and center me! Today was one of those "whoa is me days." I felt like I was overwhelmed in my mother duties and there's never enough time for ME. This really put me in check, thank you. I do need to appreciate, even the hard and rough days. 42 is WAY TOO YOUNG to die. I will include that family in my thoughts and prayers this weekend as I drive to dance classes, birthday parties, grocery shopping and mass. It is good to be alive, isn't it? :) Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor said something to me the other day when I mentioned that my two littlest ones were at preschool and something about me getting to get things done and have some me time. Anyway, she said, "someday you're going to be so sick of having me time", and it made me stop and think that it will all go so fast, and pretty soon I will have everyday of just doing my very own stuff... how boring!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wonderful posts, I always love your blog.
Thank you for this reminder, you are so, so right.
ReplyDeleteYou put that beautifully and it's something we should all be grateful for. Thank you for reminding us. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder!
ReplyDeletethis is so beautiful and SUCH a good reminder to be thankful for every instant. it is easy to get caught up and wish away pain when in reality all we need to do is just keep living through it. we are so blessed to be breathing.
ReplyDeleteHow hard. I said a prayer for that family. You are so right....every day is a gift.
ReplyDeleteLife is precious. I agree. I think it is good even in the moments that we are overwhelmed, or feel like we aren't enough - to find something to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about that mother who is gone too soon.
lovely and very, very true! I have felt very inadequate and very inept this week, trying to make some big decisions RE parenting and my oldest - it always seem so hard with your first as you pave the way,poor little Guinea pigs :)You are such an inspiration to others - thank you and please start that book!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah, I began casually following your blog a few years ago. From time to time, or when I have a quiet moment, I will check my bookmarks and go to your page. Somehow, and it is far beyond me, it feels that what ever worry I hold deep in my heart, what ever fear or challenge I am working through in the moment, I manage to find an answer to, through your words. It never fails to amaze me. Today as I woke up feeling thoroughly inadequate AGAIN, so tired and worn out, I sat down to read and once again you put so much into perspective. I want to thank you for being a long distance therapist. For reminding me in the challenging moments, what is truly important and all that I have to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much,
Kim
I am a mom of two very young girls & I wanted to let you know that I am so encouraged & blessed by your blog. I am so impressed by your ability to express your love for God, your family, & your role as a mother. In a day & age when it is so rare to be a stay at home mom, you truly are a virtual "mentor" to me.
ReplyDeleteWith thanks,
Nicole L.
I LOVE THIS POST. the last phrase, i get to work through hard days, just did it for me. i am a crying mess now. life certainly is hard but it is also so full of lots of happiness.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for sharing this.
Just joined your blog and loving it. I remember the hectic times of my own children growing up (4 under 5!). I seemed to be constantly on the go, picking up dropping off. I wanted to be there for the joyous and not so joyous steps as they grew. I never felt that I was letting my children go but rather encouraging them to move towards independence a little at a time joining with them in their little successes, from learning to walk,feed themselves, learning to cook, drive, study, work, leave home, marry and eventually having children of their own. Teaching them to be good people, productive and happy in their own right was and still is my ultimate goal. All stages bring different enjoyment. How lucky we are to be around to enjoy them all.
ReplyDeletelast year i lost a friend to breast cancer... six months younger than i, also 42. married for 15 years, three children under the age of 10. most importantly a beautiful testimony in living and dying of the unfailing love of God. she was a helicopter pilot in the military, her husband flew planes (also military). people from around the word prayed on her behalf ~ so many were affected by her story that i can only imagine the impact her testimony will have on an unbeliever who learned of her story. i agree that 42 is way to young!
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