We are all unique. We all make different choices which lead us down distinctive paths. When we become Mothers, we evolve even further and the variance of our choices continue.
I am a dedicated, Attachment Mother. I don’t want the label of ‘attachment’ to express that I belong to a special club. The term simply defines my ways. Since being on this trip, it has been the four of us, 24 hours a day. We stick together as a family and we spend our days and nights together as a family. Many would argue and have argued that I must make time for myself. I agree.
Life doesn’t come without sacrifices and this is one I choose to make. With these sacrifices, as with any, there are areas in our lives that suffer. Taking time for myself has been one of those areas. I can’t imagine doing things differently. This instinctual nature took over when my first son was born and I am so grateful that I get to raise my boys full-time.
I feel the purest love every single day. That doesn’t mean every day is easy. In fact, today was one of those challenging days. One of those days I questioned myself and wondered what I could do better as a parent. A day that I was grateful for my high level of patience. A day that I wished I could take a break and catch my breath.
This journey we are on is life-changing. My husband and I spoke last night about how powerful this all is. As we browsed through photos from our trip so far, we were reminded that these memories will last our lifetime. Although there are rough days, these days aren’t the ones we will take with us. We will only grow stronger. All of us. We are gaining perspective and enlightenment in each moment. Our bonds only strengthen as the days go on.
I strive for balance in my family, my marriage and for myself. I grow daily in my efforts to achieve it. I don’t always succeed. It is a life worth enjoying and struggling through, all while we shift and evolve. The constant need and desire for balance and harmony…this is life.
I’m discovering how important it is to nurture and embrace my femininity. I’m not about how things look on the outside. I believe True Beauty shines from within. That said, if we don’t feel beautiful or good about ourselves, we don’t allow ourselves to shine. We don’t thrive in all of our Feminine Glory. We hide our light under a bushel and think we don’t care…but we do.
So, on that note, I hadn’t colored or cut my hair in way too long. The grey roots and 3 different shades of brown and black just weren’t working but I acted as if it was fine…for the sake of, “Who has time to go to a salon” or “I don’t want to try another box with my (leave on color for way too long) hands.” I thought being ‘no maintenance’ was the way to go but I’d taken that too far. I made the decision to go to a salon recently, and get this long, disheveled mess coiffed and hued.
I found a very special and talented young woman named Kelly Saunders at Jo and Cass Salon in Kendal here in England. As soon as I sat down, I knew I was in the right place. I actually exhaled and relaxed and it was heavenly. Dana played with the boys at a nearby park and they went to lunch and had their necessary “man time.” I grabbed a magazine, had a delicious latte and biscuit and watched the gray fade away. Ahhhhh…what a couple of hours in a hair salon can do for a woman. I obviously forgot.
I read great articles about women and our need to take care of ourselves. I looked at girly things which I don’t take the time to do anymore. I realized in those moments that this time is mandatory. I will be better in every way if I only take this time. Thank you so much Kelly for the gift of that day. I didn’t realize how badly I needed such a simple thing.
I believe we all have our ups and downs in parenthood just like we did in life before our children. We have moments and days in which we can’t wait for the sun to go down. Those are often followed by days filled with bigger smiles and deeper love than ever before.
I want to be the best version of myself. I want to embrace this precious life with all of the love in my heart and do all that I am meant to do while here. I love the husband, children, family and friends I’ve been given. I love our boys more than words can ever express and they inspire me to LIVE and SHINE in each moment.
Let Your Light Sparkle. Take Care of YOU. This will allow us to be everything we need to be for ourselves and therefore, everything we need and want to be for others. The saying is so true about the oxygen mask on the plane. We must put ours on first. (Thank you, Mary for always reminding me of this). Everyone around us will be grateful and our true power and radiance will shine and make differences all over the place.
I am learning this now, more than ever.
Here’s to you…Beautiful, Strong and Powerful Women Everywhere.
You are Amazing.
I Am Woman ~ Helen Reddy (Sing It Out Loud)
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back and pretend
’cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
’cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
♥️ Sandy
