Family,  Motherhood,  Motivation,  My Blog,  Writing

Loving My Life on the Wire

Balance. This is one area that is not black or white. It’s a garish blend of tie-dye confusion with no rhyme or reason.  My balancing act lost its luster somewhere after child #2.

Each year, my tightrope is raised a bit higher. With my lack of coordination, no wonder hubby insisted on an increase to my life insurance policy. 🙂

Even after 19 years of motherhood, it’s scary, desolate, and daunting.  Honestly,  I have no clue what I am doing or what lies ahead. But…shhhhhh, don’t tell the kids this.

 

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The oldest has left the nest, but I am faced with two more that like to jiggle the wire. Laughing while they do it. Amused at my survival methods creative moves to say upright.

Standing up here, resembling a lame bird on a rotting telephone wire,  I feel the breeze whip around me. Ruffling my feathers.  Carrying the whispers of those placing their bets. Wondering  how long it’ll take until I jump. Or fall. Hecklers, cause me to teeter, but they are eventually carried off in the breeze.

No worries, though! They are always replaced by others.

I see things my mom would of done and things that I do differently.  I feel a burden from this, resting on my shoulders.  Making my trek a bit harder.

Looking over my shoulder, I see the beginning. Where is all started. many years ago. Pre-kids.

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Everything looked bright and shiny. Hopes and dreams of parenting at it’s finest swirled like cotton candy . Before we knew about colic, homework battles, and hormones. Visions of keeping our precious bundles wrapped up in the  generic white, pink & blue blanket from the hospital….never un-swaddling. Life would be nothing but rocking chairs and lullaby’s.

 

The rope jolts to the left, reminding me to pay attention.  I look ahead,  to the end of this trapeze act, envisioning my children as grown adults.  Living the lives that I helped create. What will they do for a career? Will they stay out of trouble? Will they visit on holidays?

 

I learned from child #1 that it’s not all laughter and family game nights. The same kids we nurture, love and guide become masters of their own destiny. We just help mold them, until the independence takes hold. Then, grudgingly, we take on a consultant-like role.  A role that eats us alive.

 

 

For today, I stand steadily. Attempting to complete another step. Dodging stinky gym clothes and questionable clothing choices. I laugh at their humor. I cry at their attempts to be independent. I stand back, cheering while they  shine in the glory of achievement.

 

I relish in the sweetness of freshly shampooed hair. Warm to the feeling of gangly teenage arms enveloping me for a hug.  Smiling till my cheeks hurt, when I hear about their successful days and sympathizing with them when a day turns out crappy.

 

I realize they still need me. Not like in the beginning, but it is fulfilling nonetheless.

 

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I adjust, finding the middle ground. Focusing on the next shaky step.

That’s life. We take the sunshiney days with the crappy ones. This is how we know we are living.

With one foot in front of the other:  I balance, I live. I love my life on the wire.

 

4 Comments

  • Jolynn

    This is beautiful. We are on the verge of planning for child #2. Right now my life is still pretty predictable and manageable. I think after #2 it won’t even change that much. But, ha! Thanks for the peak into life after and what to expect. Balance, I may have today but tomorrow? 😉

    • jenniferpreissauthor

      Jolynn,

      Thank you and congratulations on the new baby! How exciting for you and your family.
      Good luck on finding your balance. (FYI – I think naps help.) lol.

  • Jamie

    I just found your page through TX Women Bloggers. I loved this post! I’m pregnant now with my first child and it was so interesting to see life from “the other side” for a bit. Thank you so much for sharing!

    • jenniferpreissauthor

      Jamie,

      Hello Fellow Texas Blogger! Thank you for checking out my blog. So many days I feel myself teetering on this parenting wire. While scary, it is the most fulfilling thing in my life.
      Congrats on your pregnancy. Keep in touch.