14-04-11 Today is a great day. I had a memory today from back when I was a single parent. The memory is small but powerful. Mairi and I went to McDonald's for breakfast. She got her hotcakes, and I probably got an orange juice. We sat next to the window so she could look at the fountain while eating. We talked about the water and Ronald McDonald, who of course was sitting on the bench outside. She was probably about 3 years old, but I can still remember it so clearly. The sun that day was out. It was not hot; it was that cool, brisk, type of summer morning that we have here in Nova Scotia. I am sure later on it probably got warmer, but at that moment, it was cool. It is one time that I know we sat there for a while and stared at the fountain. Mairi was (and still is) a slow eater. I remember that moment so clearly. I can honestly tell you that at that moment there was nowhere else in this world that I would rather have been than there in that moment.
There is something special about all single parents. It is not that they are noble; we all know that that is part of it. It is not a job, it is your life. Single parents have opted to continue on with preserving the life and love of their children, without prejudice. They, as do other parents, sacrifice. They have chosen a role. It is not easy being a single parent, even when you have all the help in the world. I recall moments when I had to think about myself and my future, and there was this overwhelming sadness that would come over me. I knew that my future would not be like others and it was uncertain. I pushed forward. That is how I would do it, push forward. I wouldn't allow myself to look back. I had to go forward. To what? I really didn't know. All I knew is that I had a responsibility to my daughter to provide for her the best opportunities that I possibly could. I always find it funny when people refer to looking after their children as 'babysitting.' I always inform them that you are not babysitting your own child; it is called being a parent.
Is this a self-righteous behaviour? I hope so. I will not ever apologise for being a parent and making the choices (yes that is right, choices) that I made. My child is wonderful. Do not take my word for it. Ask anyone, absolutely anyone that knows her, they will tell you the same thing. Of course, there is one 'x-factor,' or should I say 'y-factor' that has greatly affected my raising of Mairi: George. I still remember a time when we were living in Cape Breton; Mairi got ready for school, she had dressed herself, and she had a skirt on over her pants. I didn't want her to go to school looking like that. I have always been afraid of people making fun of her. I have always had this protecting instinct for anyone that is being bullied and I was very conscious of it. George looked at me and told me to leave her alone. My eyes were opened and clear at that moment. I was actually turning into the crazy parent that I never ever wanted to be, the parent who is more concerned about what others think rather than encouraging Mairi to become her own little person. It was amazing. I have always been thankful to George for that moment. I became a better parent because of that. George and I balance each other out perfectly. It is really nice. We are good parents. We love our children.
Life hands us many tasks. Some are wonderful, and we do them with pleasure and bliss. Others are complicated and will test our willingness to complete them. We have the option of choice. We can choose which tasks we want to do. I can tell you this: through my experience, even for the worst possible task that has been asked of you, there is always a piece of sunshine that is peeking through, helping you along the way. The worst thing you can think of always has some good inside of it, if you look close enough. Try not to stay
in the dark.
Always,
Happy Does It!
There is something special about all single parents. It is not that they are noble; we all know that that is part of it. It is not a job, it is your life. Single parents have opted to continue on with preserving the life and love of their children, without prejudice. They, as do other parents, sacrifice. They have chosen a role. It is not easy being a single parent, even when you have all the help in the world. I recall moments when I had to think about myself and my future, and there was this overwhelming sadness that would come over me. I knew that my future would not be like others and it was uncertain. I pushed forward. That is how I would do it, push forward. I wouldn't allow myself to look back. I had to go forward. To what? I really didn't know. All I knew is that I had a responsibility to my daughter to provide for her the best opportunities that I possibly could. I always find it funny when people refer to looking after their children as 'babysitting.' I always inform them that you are not babysitting your own child; it is called being a parent.
Is this a self-righteous behaviour? I hope so. I will not ever apologise for being a parent and making the choices (yes that is right, choices) that I made. My child is wonderful. Do not take my word for it. Ask anyone, absolutely anyone that knows her, they will tell you the same thing. Of course, there is one 'x-factor,' or should I say 'y-factor' that has greatly affected my raising of Mairi: George. I still remember a time when we were living in Cape Breton; Mairi got ready for school, she had dressed herself, and she had a skirt on over her pants. I didn't want her to go to school looking like that. I have always been afraid of people making fun of her. I have always had this protecting instinct for anyone that is being bullied and I was very conscious of it. George looked at me and told me to leave her alone. My eyes were opened and clear at that moment. I was actually turning into the crazy parent that I never ever wanted to be, the parent who is more concerned about what others think rather than encouraging Mairi to become her own little person. It was amazing. I have always been thankful to George for that moment. I became a better parent because of that. George and I balance each other out perfectly. It is really nice. We are good parents. We love our children.
Life hands us many tasks. Some are wonderful, and we do them with pleasure and bliss. Others are complicated and will test our willingness to complete them. We have the option of choice. We can choose which tasks we want to do. I can tell you this: through my experience, even for the worst possible task that has been asked of you, there is always a piece of sunshine that is peeking through, helping you along the way. The worst thing you can think of always has some good inside of it, if you look close enough. Try not to stay
in the dark.
Always,
Happy Does It!
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