January 3, 2012

A New Year

(Run away! Thoughtful post ahead! Close your eyes, I'm warning you!)

It feels strange.

This new year had come without fan fair or recognition at our house. It came and went just like any other day. Hubby sick with a cold, the kids alternating between playing and fighting as always, the baby waking up cranky at 12:30am. I don't even remember what we had for dinner New Years Eve... leftovers?

Probably.

I feel rather unprepared as I see others writing about goals and resolutions, their big plans for change and betterment.

I confess I have hardly thought much along those lines. This holiday break has been something of a blur. First with me being so sick, then Hubby, I'm afraid we haven't done anything exciting,

Well, other than Hubby signed up for Netflix.

Whoa... I know right. We're moving up in the world!

I'm not saying I haven't thought about goals or things I want to change, organize, or accomplish, I just haven't mentally set myself up for those things yet. Perhaps as life returns to it's normal state of being this week, I'll regroup, refocus, and revamp.


 But there has been one thing on my mind of late.


On occasion I receive a comment or an email from someone who honors me so deeply by sharing a piece of their inner turmoil or thoughts, usually concerning motherhood, sometimes just life in general.

It always surprises and humbles me when I receive such things, and I confess it sometimes makes me feel guilty too. I wish I had wise advise to give, I wish I had helpful answers. But I am not any different than any other person trying to figure things out. And I really wish people wouldn't compare themselves to me.

Yes, I have sat down on my kitchen floor and cried out of pure discouragement. Yes, there have been times I have questioned my choices, even if they weren't bad one. Yes, I do have self-esteem issues. Yes, I do struggle with the intense responsibility of raising children and meeting their individual needs. Yes, sometimes I get flat out overwhelmed.

And sometimes I don't. Sometimes I'm okay. Sometimes I'm great. Sometimes, life is incredible.

But not all the time.

So, as this new year kicks off, all I can hope for is to simply try a little harder to be a little better.

I came across this and I thought I would share.

"What can . . . young mother[s] [do] . . . to reduce the pressure [of raising young children] and enjoy [their families] more? . . .

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' (Loud and Clear [1004], 10-11)."



So here's to a new year and many new blog posts to come, filled with messes and mistakes, humor and joy, frustration and fear, love and just, well... life.

10 super cool people speak:

Melissa said...

Wonderful post, Serene. I should print this off and hang it up so I can be reminded of it often! Happy New Years to you and your beautiful family!

Susan Anderson said...

Anna Quindlen is a wise woman! And so are you...

=)

PS. Hope everyone gets and stays well at your house!

Larsen said...

Ahhh, ditto girl. I hear you singing, song bird. I hear ya.

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

Aww, no fun being sick over the holidays! :( Poo poo! your blog is amazing and you do give great advice! Hope your new year is fabulous!

Brittney said...

I figure one of the best things I can do is take pictures and videos so that one day I can look at it all and remember those wonderful moments. You are fabulous!

hjsmith said...

Thank you Sarah for sharing the quote and for saying it like it is(: We all need to be reminded from time to time we are not all alone and I think that is why your post is so wonderful. Being busy in the moment and sometimes wishing it by and onto the next one as life gets frustrating and so forth, you put it all into words so wonderfully expressed and put(: I enjoy reading your Blog and what your readers have to say(:Happy New year. May this tear 2012 be better and greater then the last(:

CB said...

Great post! Motherhood is definately a demanding job but so amazing it kind of makes you feel sorry for men!!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love LOVE that quote! Thanks for sharing! I needed to hear that! Love it! You are AMAZING!

Amy said...

Excellent advice.
To me, you're great. And funny. And beautiful. And real!
None of us has to have it all together. Sometimes we have to fake it, right?
Here's to a great new year and lots of fun with Netflix. :)

For you and the hubby, I recommend: The Stone of Destiny, Mao's Last Dancer, White Collar, and Psych. LOVED all these movies/shows.

Garvin Smith said...

"It's like I always say . . .." "You ALWAYS say that?" (name that movie!)

Anyway, like I always say, raising a family is long periods of dull pain, interrupted by brief spikes of intense joy.

BTW, it's "fanfare".

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