Finding Four
Four-the age I thought was so far away has finally reached us. We had a Finding Dory party and now many days I am trying to find Carly and everyday..... ...I'm still finding myself.
As a first time mom at age 40, I've Found more than I could ever know in the past four years.
In honor of year Four, Here's my four for four findings!
Patience. It IS a virtue. You need to have it....lots of it. Know now that as a parent, it will be tested for the rest of your life (it doesn't stop at 18-look at your parents who still love you). Each time your child does something that drives you crazy, you need to remember that it soon will only be a memory that you actually want back because they are now 18 and you need to get a dog to cure your loneliness.
You're Late! Just like the white rabbit said! Before being a mom, one of my biggest pet peeves was people who were late! I thought it was disrespectful, rude, and selfish. Why is your time more important? Now I know what was. ...Kids! They beat to their own drum and even if you pre-plan, lay out clothes, have things ready, you STILL are going to be late because your daughter just took a dry erase marker and decided to color her whole body right before you need to be somewhere (baby oil or olive oil takes it off). Life Happens...and it happens a lot when you have a child. Whether it is a melt down, sickness, messes, they are all worth it, and to show them you have time for them is a great lesson of love they will always remember.
I am the Mom. Everywhere you go, there will ALWAYS be a judge and jury. It might be your in-laws, other moms, your own mom, and people in general off the street. There is nothing you can do about it...it is human nature, we all do it, even if we don't mean to. You just need to NOT listen. You are the mom who knows her child more than anyone. You know her loves, her fears, her happiness. If you don't spank your child, it doesn't mean she is going to grow up and rob a bank, or be the brat of the school. To each their own. You do what works for the both of you, if someone wants to judge ask if you can come over and look into their glass house.
Finally...
My daughter is the Greatest Love of My Life. Before being a mom, I had NO IDEA how much my mom loved me (that woman sure put up with a lot)! I cared about material things-how I looked, what I had to show for myself, who's who, blah....blah...blah. The greatest gift I've ever had before being given life, was to give life to my daughter. I am so lucky to have been chosen as her mother. She taught me how to love her and others. I now need to think about someone else and what is in her best interest. It isn't about me anymore. It is more important that she has food in her belly, a roof over her head, clothes on her body, and most importantly that she knows she has many people that love her unconditionally. I make sure to tell her everyday that no matter what she does in her life, she will always be loved. I want her to know that I will do everything in my powers to make sure she has the best opportunities in life and that I will support her no matter what it takes to get there.
There's my Four Life Lessons that I've Found in the Four best years of my life. I have many more things to find in our journey ahead, as we "Just Keep Swimming" through this great ocean that we call life. There are many fish in the sea, but I'm so lucky to have the little blond-haired, blue eyed, giggly, girl named Carly on my hook. There'll be no catch and release. This one's mine!
