Our next chapter...as we travel down the road.



Twenty years ago I became a mom. My daughter Abbey was born on December 18, 1997 - 4 months after we lost her father to colon cancer.  My job became full time mom and dad immediately.  Sole parent, sole provider, sole everything.  My village has been small but we have done an amazing job. I can't sit here and tell you it was easy - it was hard and I can remember many nights hoping and praying for sleep with a crying baby - now hoping and praying for sleep if she's out too late 😂

We have done the first day of kindergarten photos (without social media - go figure!), we've done so many firsts together and the journey has been nothing less than magnificent.  We have had of course large  doses of mishaps and comedy along the way. At times our life has been a bit like a novel that you can't put down as you are waiting to see what happens next.....well here we are.

Next week Abbey is leaving to start her Junior year of school at Bridgewater State University and it will be a HUGE change in the life that we have both come to know.

Being Abbey's mom has been who have been for the last 20+ years, and while I know I will still continue to be her mom - my life will need to change a bit and my focus as well.  Who knew that after so many years I get to go back to a bit more focus on me?   I didn't know this.  No one explained that part to me in the baby books or the baby classes.  When we become a mom, we tend to give up a bit of who we are so we can be 'all in' for our children.  Now you're saying I get to go back to me?  What?!

I'm a mom - and a dam good one.  While far from perfect, I swear (sometimes even at my kid), I missed payment deadlines and came home to now power or cable;  we missed homework deadlines because we simply ran out of time - but one thing that always remained true was that I was there for her and here has never been any question that I was born to be Abbey's mom.

As a mom, I think we always wonder if we have done enough.  Well - I know I have done enough raising her so that she can continue the journey on her own.

That's what we are supposed to say right?

Truth is, I am not really sad about Abbey leaving for school- I'm excited.  She gets to take on this next chapter in her life and I get to sit ringside to watch it...



I'm sure I will cry though....who are we kidding right?

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 30, 2018 at 10:23 AM

    I can remember dropping off our son at college and all of us crying. Siblings and parents! It was a sad day but also one of my proudest - he is was in college! Missed him terrible!

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