We found a slippery yellow striped snake coming out of the water on our beach walk today. I stopped to ask a security fella if he knew the name. as we chatted he asked about Adelia’s hair, and after a short chat about his girls, he asked where’s the husband, you know my reply no husband. His response is you are fancy-free! Mine was I am fully responsible.
That was interesting, it popped out of my mouth with no contemplation. Being a single mom means responsibility, long hours, planning, and implementing patience all the time. It’s not a bad job, but you have to know that this is the job description and more of course.
I love this image, me pulling the mule with my daughter on its back up the mountain. While Adelia road effortlessly I tugged and pulled and encouraged the mule to keep moving till we reached our destination. The path was dusty and steep, the ride for Adelia was effortless and fun, and honestly, I didn’t mind one bit what was being asked of me.
The trick to the burden of parenting is to keep refueling your joy factor. Do things you love, stay physically active, and educate yourself on the phase of challenge you are going through. Most importantly is to love your job as a mama. Love it even when it is a wet bed and tears on vacation at 2 am, or when a tantrum leads to your child yelling hurtful words and throwing her shoe at you. If your joy factor is high there is a grace flowing through you and me that overrides the external and restores your resolve to parent your very best all the time.
As you read this, we’ll have just returned home after 3 weeks of rest and relaxation. I so needed the break and I come back to you refreshed revitalized and ready to dig in and go further in our journey together.
