Stormy Start for Summer

I am in bed today, getting over a sore throat.  While my body is down, my mind is wide awake. So, I am taking time to start the blog I said I was going to start this summer.  This will be a place to unload my mind and hopefully communicate with other people who feel isolated in the midst of their busy lives.  I didn't appreciate getting sick earlier this week,  but now I see it did serve a purpose.

This month I can celebrate a few things.  First, the end of the school year for my three children.  The youngest will still be in elementary school next year,  but my dear middle one is going on to junior high, and the oldest will start high school in the fall.  They are excited about these milestones.  They have promotion ceremonies, dances, t-shirts and yearbooks to commemorate it all.  I know this time will be a special memory for them, and that makes me happy.

The second thing to celebrate is having made it through these past five months as a single parent.  I am allowing myself a pat on the back for getting us out of a terrible living situation and being able to provide a safe environment for the kids and me.  It took the help of many friends to make our move possible.

 Not only moving our things out of the house to a much smaller apartment, but also the generosity of gifts of furniture, a television and microwave,  lamps, shoes and clothing for the kids, gift cards for groceries and gas, and so much more.  Then there are the countless ways the kids and I received emotional support and encouragement through it all. 

The third thing to celebrate are the friends who became a much needed extended family to help keep the kids on track with school, sports and activities.  Not only did the kids complete the school year,  but they all had excellent grades,  received awards and are very happy.  Although we have faced many challenges, we have been able to make it through the worst part of the storm and come out stronger together.

The recent Tornadoes in the Midwest, where I lived most of my childhood, brought everything into perspective.  Yes, terrible things happen.  Often these things happen without warning or reason.  You have the responsibility to protect yourself and the ones you love by getting to a safe place if you can.  If you can't avoid the tragedy, you must help each other pick up the pieces and move on.

We cannot let a stormy forecast keep us from living the lives we were meant to live. If the weatherman says it's gonna rain, wear your raincoat and be ready to get wet,  but go out and play anyway.

That's what matters to this mama.  What do you think?