What a Man

I joke that this picture shows the Molly will choose the right partner because she's already chosen one who can cook! But don't all parents hope that if their children choose a partner that they choose one who will be a much better partner than we are? Someone that they can share a lifetime of happiness with?

I was on the phone with my mom the other day and she asked me about something and I replied that I didn't know because Mike handles that for our family. She reminded me, as she often does during hunting season, how lucky I am. And she's right!

I believe that most people's attributes shine during times of stress, chaos, or tragedy. I wouldn't say my surgery yesterday was tragedy by any means, but I did end up with more holes in my abdomen than I expected! Although it wasn't chaotic like my appendectomy it was stressful for my family whose lives were rearranged to accommodate me. 

Mike went with the flow, loaded bags, cars, chargers, and kids. Didn't eat his breakfast in front of me and spoon-fed me ice chips when I stubbornly refused to drink water from my first nurse. He attempted to listen to my garbled drug-induced slurred speech when he gently reminded me I only had 45 minutes left in recovery before they were going to give up and get me a room and I rebutted that I certainly couldn't walk out of the hospital if I couldn't even open my eyes.

I'm so blessed that Mike chose me as his lifelong partner and I hope my children find a partner who is half the one that Mike is. I certainly need to do a better job at showing him how thankful I am to have him in my corner! And no, honey, this post was not medicinally induced - love you.

Becoming

I was shocked to see how long it had been since I posted! Where in the world have we been? Well we've been working, parenting, and chauffeuring - much like most. 

There are moments when I wish away the time, even though I know better. Moments where I think, "I can't wait for Alec to drive." or "I can't wait for Molly to be able to shower." I'd like to be able to say I catch myself and quickly change my train of thought but that doesn't always happen.

But the other night, I was talking to a friend who's house recently went into contract. She was talking about how this is the beginning of getting something her family's always wanted. While I understand the want of something bigger when you have small children, the realization came to me that in less that THREE years, we will be one less in our day to day living. Alec will be miles away making his dreams come true.

Alec talks about college and how much he hopes to work as a game warden or a park ranger. He talks about going to far away states that are more rural and desolate than Ohio (hard to believe that's possible as we enter the winter months). Excited to live through harsh winters in a virtually solitary life. While I can't imagine that life, I hope the life he chooses brings him as much happiness as he brings me.

There are times I feel slighted that I didn't get to witness his first steps and I don't have memories to share about his first words or his first day of school. And while those things are important, I get to share how I witness every day him becoming a man. I get to hear him talk about his future, help him make those dreams become a reality.

I think those privileges are just as good, if not better, than those years of firsts. And I pledge to do better at being in the moment instead of wishing it away.