Hi! I am a Counselor, Art Therapist and Clinical Supervisor by day. Mother mornings and nights. Advocate, writer and compassionate thinker when possible.
I took my daughter to our local dollar store this weekend. The clerk checking us out was an amazing woman. She was beyond kind to my daughter and began our day with solace that there are so many wonderful people in our world.
This clerk and I were making small talk. I joked about Lucy being a handful and she reminded me, little kids little problems, big kids big problems. This woman raised 3 young adults that are in the scary phase of learning how to be responsible adults that will sustain them. We further connected and offered each other praise and strength mother to mother.
Continuing to ponder on the idea of little kids little problems, I find myself realizing how these problems now really are chance a for me to instill in my children resiliency, love, communication and advocacy. Once they are adults they will need these skills engrained in them.
My hope is the way I’m helping them navigate these little problems with flourish in themselves bright and amazing futures. Futures filled with compassion for others and themselves. Futures where they are resilient and motivated to live their best lives. Futures where they are not ashamed or embarrassed to stand up for what’s right. They got this!
I have made strides on my healing journey over the last 2 weeks. After a hysterectomy earlier this year, breaking my foot 3 months later, and being in a boot for 13 weeks, I decided it was time I found something to feel in control of.
I made the decision to switch doctors. The doctor I saw told me to get out of the boot and into a shoe. His recommendation was if it stays the same or gets better it’s healing. If it’s worse come back to him. I can proudly say I don’t think I have to see him again!
I started physical therapy and I am becoming stronger each day. Everyday I wake up and make the choice to do the exercises. I am hopeful that my foot is healing, finally!
With the cards I was dealt I made the choice not to judge myself due to not being able to go for walks or be as active as I was prior to surgery. I wallowed. I think I needed this time of wallowing to help me get in the headspace of being ready to make some big changes.
I began Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago and lost 5 1/2 lbs. Weight Watchers has allowed me to be mindful about what I am putting in my body. I am looking at food as a way to fuel my body. Previously I looked at food as a way to join me in loathing my body. I am hopeful that I will love my body for the vessel it is. I am beginning to.
Throughout this journey I have been to an amazing therapist that has helped me process and understand the root of my anxieties and the loss of control. I am excited for the last part of 2022 and have plans for 2023 to be my year. I will keep you all updated!
My son started a new season of soccer and we were unsure what the second practice would look like. His first practice my dad took him and he left after 15 minutes. Fear set in.
I asked him to try it again, and this time I would take him. If he did well, even if he wanted to sit there he would get a reward. I’m not above bribing if it means helping my kid overcome his fear and be able to enjoy something active.
He agreed to come. At first he stood back and was mad at me for walking to the field, because he didn’t want to leave my side and this made him come to the field to. I then joined in and he followed suit. Within 10 minutes I was able to go sit with the other parents! Afterwards, he said, “That was a blast!”
Such a simple example of a child overcoming his fear with support and love surrounding him. I could have let him give up and shut down, and I debated about this. I’m glad I did what I did, knowing how he loved soccer the prior season. I’m so proud of Liam for overcoming his fear and putting his all into the practice!
Always remember to encourage your kids. Remember there’s a fine line between encouraging and forcing. They don’t have to be perfect, they just have to try.
My husband and I had a wonderful dinner out for our anniversary. I always remind myself how important it is to make family time special. I often forget the importance of nurturing the relationship that began our family.
9 years and 2 kids later we were beginning to forget the foundation. Last night we got to laugh without hesitation, enjoy adult conversation that had nothing to do with our kids, and be intimate in a way we don’t have time or patience for. It was wonderful and I know We are lucky.
Our foundation consists of uplifting one another’s hope and dreams. Smiling at the life we are building. Laughing at inside jokes that only silas and I get. Trusting one another with our hearts. Knowing that love and quality time matter, not the gifts or the material gestures.
I hope to instill these values in our children. I know making time for one another will instill healthy relationships and connections in our children. Our cups are half full again.
Make time for those that are important to you. Refill your cups. Spend quality time to invigorate your soul.
My foot has been in a boot for 2 1/2 months. I went to the doctor last week with hopes that it was progressing. I was met with, it’s still barely healing and you’re doing all the right things.
I asked if surgery previously would have made a difference. “It may have, but…” my doctor wants put me on a bone stimulating machine to help my foot heal. I’ve read articles that say 86% success rate and other articles that say 38%. I’m working on a second opinion as we can be our best advocates.
My kids keep asking me when it will be healed. My response is “I don’t know. Hopefully soon!” It’s so hard being a good mom when we have things going on outside of our control. The best we can do is be honest, loving, supportive and provide hope to our children.
I know one day I will be healed and this will be a distant memory. My dads girlfriend reminded me how these experiences have grown my children’s ability to empathize. I am working on accepting my body as is and focus on the positives that happen. Each night I plan to provide myself with 3 gratifying statements that are positive towards my body and mind.
Sending positive thoughts to those that can understand these frustrations. Encouraging you to find hope and love for your inner selves.
Watching fireworks last night, I felt a sense of peace and contentment overcome my sense of being. I snuggled my little boy and held my daughters hand that was nestled with her dad.
I began to think of all the other families stories that surrounded us. What did it take for them and their ancestors to get here? What are the hardships and peace that they know? I wish them all to feel the love that I had in my heart at that moment and have within me often.
I am thankful for the freedoms we have, thanks to all those that have served and continue to serve. I hope the future brings back freedoms that have been taken from us. I hope my daughter and other young ladies have the same choices my generation had growing up. Enjoy your family and snuggle them tight this Fourth of July.
Grief is something we all experience at some point or another. If we didn’t love the person we lost we would not know the depth of this emotion. June is a month of growth and sunshine, but for my family it brings about many special and beautiful days. The beginning of May will always be known as the month my mother died. But June will always be the month and reminder of celebration for me.
You see, My grandfathers birthday is June 6, which coincides with my parents anniversary. My mothers birthday is June 11 and my fathers birthday is June 18th. Birthdays among my best friend, aunts, cousins and others bring about happiness this month. Pride month is celebrated and love is shared.
I am rejuvenated and appreciative of the happiness and love that June brings. Find those sunshine days among the sadness. Allow yourself to feel each of your emotions with hope knowing that with every storm a rainbow presents.
It’s been a while since I have been able to put my current situations into word format. Figuring out how to tell my latest difficulties couldn’t be accomplished until I began to see a silver lining. I have the intent of writing this to help normalize and be communicative about my experiences to help others. If I am not being vulnerable how can I expect others to be vulnerable with me?
To skim a little, I had a hysterectomy in February to which I was finally recovering and ready to give my children my full energy and attention that was difficult to provide. I made the decision to walk everyday and get healthy. One week in, I was meeting a good friend to walk instead of go to ice cream, I took one step outside my front door and broke my 5th metatarsal bone in my foot. I played it off and off to ice cream we went unbeknownst to me that my foot was really broken and the pain would emerge shortly. This occurred on May 2, 2022.
May 22, 2022 COVID finally caught up with me and my 3 year old (Lucy). My husband and son tested negative so we conquered and divided. My in laws go to Michigan in the summers so my husband and son have been there the last 8 days. They are healthy thank goodness.
Lucy had a fever for 5 days straight and Motrin and Tylenol kept it at bay. Sore throat and congestion got us both. However, I have always struggled with a very mild case of Asthma when I get sick. I am lucky to have a father and family in the medical field. I have taken Paxlovid since I got my positive covid test May 23, 2022. I’m not sure if it helps, but I like to believe that maybe I would be worse today if not. I have been struggling with a low pulse ox. 94 on Wednesday and I was able to get on steroids. 92-94 on Thursday and Friday. An inhaler appears to have helped and now I’m at a steady 96. A healthy pulse ox for someone who doesn’t have oxygen problem is 95 and above. So I believe I’m getting there.
Without knowing what to check and having the medical expertise I have I don’t know the road I would be down right now. I urge anyone to talk with their doctors. Get a pulse ox. Monitor yourself. You are your biggest advocate.
I am lucky to have a husband dropping off food. Family checking in constantly. A job that is so flexible and understanding and who puts employees first. Without these things I don’t know if my mental health would be as stable as it is right now. I know this time period is a blip. I also know my daughter and son are the most flexible and amazing kids that I could have ever asked for. Lucy and I are now best friends, at least for today 🤣 and I can’t wait to be able to reconnect with Silas and Liam in the physical form.
For those of you struggling please remember you are not alone. Reach out to those that are present. Remember there may be someone out there struggling and not saying a word about it. Check in with those people. Sending all the positive thoughts to all of you reading this.
