My husband and I met in 1997! Really that long ago. He worked at Avis Rent-a-Car and I worked at National Car Rental while going to college. That’s how our journey began.
We started our lives filled with hope and promise, traveling the US with our free travel benefits. It was pretty amazing. There wasn’t time for kids. In fact, we never really discussed it. But then it hit me. I’m almost 30!! I need to have a child. I would get the calendar out every month and time things perfectly, but nothing. Almost two years went by. Mother’s Day would roll around and still no positive pregnancy test. Anyone struggling with infertility is probably all too familiar with this rush of sadness especially on a day like Mother’s Day.
Then one day, I came home from work and took the longest nap. That was unusual for me. I knew that very moment, I was pregnant. Thank you Lord!
First there was Him
Nine months later on my exact due date this boy arrived. He’s already as punctual as I am, we were off to a great start. I’ll never forget the ride home from the hospital. I wanted nothing more than to jump out of the car and clear all of the traffic so that there was nothing in our way that could hurt him.
If there is any song that describes this kid. It’s Do the Right Thing by Ages and Ages. He’s always had a strong sense of right and wrong. He loves to share his knowledge with anyone who will listen. He loves to talk. In a house full of introverts he’s our one and only extrovert. He’s always loved building and designing things. As well as anything in the outdoors that he can learn from while also burning off all of that energy.
Surprise! Then there was Her
My mom was visiting for my sons first birthday. He woke up in the middle of the night and my mom had already gone in to check on him. I was groggy and actually forgot there was another person in the house. When I met my mom around the corner it startled me so much, I fainted. That’s weird. I’ve never fainted in my life. Wait, could I be?
One week from her due date this little lady came into our lives. What a joy! Her brother didn’t know what to think during that first meet and greet but it didn’t take long for him to take her under his wing with his year of experience in this life.
This girls persistence and determination knows no bounds. When she puts her mind to something she does not give up until she masters it. But above all of all of her interests and hobbies she knows how to find the simple joys in life and loves to share them with those she loves. Not all of us know where to look. I’m thankful that she does.
We Are Complete
When the kids were 3 and 4 years old my aunt visited us in Hawaii. As we watched them playing in the ocean she said “they are only little for such a short time, enjoy every minute”. Those words really resonated with me. Looking back I wish I had taken this advice because even though we’re warned, we don’t realize just how true it is until we’re past it. I’m left wondering when was the last time I spoon fed you, when was the last time I had to put you in a car seat or had to carry you into the grocery store. Now you’re walking along side me, I glance over at you and we are eye to eye, no wait you’re taller than me! What happened to the time? It’s hard to savor those moments because you’re in the thick of the chaos living minute to minute.
The chapters of life have flown by faster than I can keep up. I’ve realized that I can’t be there to protect them from everything, like I did before. The nagging questions of motherhood persist. Will they be able to navigate these school days unscathed? Probably not, we know this because none of us did. It’s life. Their heart break is and always will be my heartbreak too. Did I do enough? Did I do too little? The second guessing can be relentless.
The truth is, none of us do it right, none of us are perfect. We take pieces that work and hopefully use those daily; we learn from the mistakes that we’ve made and hopefully don’t make those mistakes again. We pray that they’ll understand that we are human and we’re not perfect. We’re just doing the best we can everyday to raise decent human beings.
Life is Good
Take a moment to soak in all of the joys you experience today. Think about those joys for five minutes longer than you normally would so that they don’t escape so easily with time. Hold onto these fleeting moments with love and gratitude. This day is for us. Happy Mother’s Day!