My Time is not My Own

May I ask a favor?  If everyone could visit my friend, Luanne, as she is having a tough time lately, I would appreciate it.

Here is her blog LUANNE'S LIFE LIVING WITH LUPUS

Thank you!

The kids and I have been busy! 

Friday, we went to my sister Kathy's and had a fun day swimming in the pool!  Fuzzy stayed overnight and Kathy returned with him on Saturday.  We all had a nice visit together then, too.

I was supposed to go with my Book & Movie Club to see 'The Devil Wears Prada' on Saturday night.  I was really looking forward to it, and the date was set about 2 months ago, but I had to cancel.

My hubby and boys were leaving for Boy Scout camp on Sunday morning, and the boys, especially Fuzzy, wanted me to have dinner with them Saturday night and spend the night at home with them.

How could I say no?

Last night, Pumpkin and I went out for a quiet dinner with my mom and dad.  I say quiet, because 4 family members as opposed to 7 makes for a calmer and overall quiet dinner, however, Pumpkin rarely stops talking!!!  So, the 'quiet' thing is relative... lol

Then, Pumpkin and I started our Girls Night Alone!  We watched Robin Hood on cable, the movie version with Kevin Costner from 1991.  I love that version, very romantic and full of action, and Pumpkin really enjoyed it, too.

Pumpkin didn't want to sleep upstairs, as her brother's room across the hall was empty.  So, she came into bed with me.  She also didn't want to sleep with the light on, so, I told her I would read until she fell off to la la land.

Sounds like a plan,right?  Going to bed later than usual should have helped it all along.  Right?

Wrong.

Pumpkin burst into tears at about 11:30 pm, crying that she couldn't sleep without her daddy and brothers in the house. 

We talked about how she went to her Girl Scout sleep over and we all missed her and how it was now the boys turn.

Pumpkin informed me that she only feels good and safe when her family is all together. 

I smiled.  I feel the same. 

So, I told her that, and then told her this...

That over the years now, more and more, they will start to spend time out of house, doing new things.

As a mom, when I held her and her brothers, for the first time as babies, I knew her dad and I had a really tough job ahead of us. 

Our job was to care for each and every one of their needs as infants, and to love and protect them. 

Then, as they grow, our job begins to expand and get harder.

We still love and protect and provide for their needs, but with each year that passes, we also teach them to care for some of their own needs, the first steps toward being independent. 

It is our job as parents to teach you to someday be able to leave us as responsible adults that live and work on your own, leaving us and your 'nest' if you will.  All the while we will be loving you, and supporting you, as well.

Each year, more and more, they grow and thrive, and are getting closer to that goal, and going to camp, and sleep overs, are all a part of the process.

Someday, I told her, she and her brothers will have three nests oftheir own!  And, her dad and I will visit them there.

Of course, they can always come visit their home nest, because wherever her dad and I am, will always be their home as well. 

Pumpkin stopped crying as I gave this long talk, and didn't cry again. 

But, before settling in to fall asleep, she told me that although what I said was true, she didn't have to like it.

No, my dear sweet little Pumpkin Muffin, you don't have to like it.

And, neither do I.

be well,
Dawn