Thursday, September 24, 2009

I'm the Lucky One

I spend portions of my day saying, "No. Stop That. Leave him alone. Give it back. Get down." And so on. Other times I'm cuddling up on the couch. Kissing Boo Boos. Racing cars down the hallway. Roaring like a dinosaur. Singing Doodlebops songs at the top of my lungs. Painting. Coloring. Molding Playdoh. Pushing the swing. Reading a book. Telling stories.

You might say it is an understatement that this last year and a half has been difficult. We've tried to make the best decisions for our family. Those decisions haven't come easy for us. We keep holding onto hope and the realization that things won't be like this for long. When teaching, I struggled with finding the right balance between being a great teacher, a great wife, and most importantly a great mother. I always felt like someone was getting the short end of the stick. The difficult decisions over this past year and a half has helped to eliminate those struggles. I'm the lucky one because I am able to stay home with Marlee and Cooper and focus 100% of my energy on being a great mother. Now is every day wonderful? No, but there are wonderful moments each day. So, yes, I think I am the lucky one.

The blogging community provides wonderful networking, but it also provides outlets for people to tell their stories, good or bad. I read the saddest story the other day. It has stuck with me and everyday day since then I have realized I'm the lucky one. A friend reminded me this past weekend that in the midst of the chaos that I am the lucky one because I have two healthy children at home who love me.

Just this past week Atlanta was struck with what some are calling an "epic flood". Several people lost their lives, including a sweet little 2 year old boy. Hundreds have lost their homes. Even an elementary school is a total loss. I realized I'm the lucky one because I didn't have to get out and drive around and our home didn't suffer any damage.

So no matter what the future holds, I know that I am the lucky one for the family and friends that I have in my life.


4 comments:

Brooke and Patrick said...

You are so right! I read the blog you linked to the other day and it broke my heart. That poor daddy. I cannot imagine. It makes me stop and thank God for all he has blessed us with.

Anonymous said...

My heart hurts. Another reminder of just how much we all have to be thankful for. Gotta go hug and smooch my kids now...

The Shaw Family said...

Oh, Kel! I just finished reading the Sullivan's entire blog, and you know I am a mess. It is so sad that it takes a heart breaking story like that to make me TRULY appreciate all of the beauty in my life. Thank you for reminding me that I am the lucky one, too.

Karin said...

Kelly, how well written & so very true! I have to stop and remind myself of this too. After another move across the country, leaving more great friends & still trying to find new ones here, and being diagnosed with a chronic medical condition earlier this year (maybe I will blog about it, but I don't want to complain), I have to take a moment to appreciate what a beautiful life & family I have! Thanks for sharing. You & I are so very lucky to be stay at home moms!!