Adventures In Motherhood

I've recently found myself drained from world news, a hurtful text, angry drivers, incompetent customer service, the hectic back to school and sports scheduling of four kids, our new time consuming puppy, the change in seasons, missing longtime friends so distant, and lack of purpose from professional work in which I previously had an impact, you name it! I am human. This too shall pass; I thought to myself, I'm generally a positive, energetic, outgoing individual, yet find myself devoid of courage to write anything in pursuit of my goals. Stuck in a rut by my first world problems, not insurmountable, I felt guilty. I even contemplated searching for employment again, as if that would solve my issues or fill me with exuberance, as the constant stay-at-home-mom battle of fulfillment and judgment waged war in my head. It's during these melancholic times that I have been touched with grace, whether a phone call, note from a friend, or a sermon last Sunday in church remindin...

I believe in the kindness of strangers. I'll admit my belief had been waning amidst angry city drivers and news stories as of late, but recently during the depths of frantic motherhood, my faith in humanity was renewed because I was open to the possibility. Sneaking in a yoga respite prior to the hectic after school schedule, I confidently walked home expecting to find my boys eating a snack at the kitchen counter after school, having arrived safely on their own. Mindfulness can be difficult, especially when my elementary school children are trusted with responsibility and my iPhone is in the shop. Hustling home, I found only my 5th grader devouring chips and managing his homework with the utmost pride. "Where's your brother?" I inquired. "He wasn't on the bus," my son explained, clearly enjoying some time alone in our typically chaotic house. Sheer panic ensued as it had been a full half-hour since school let out and needless to say, my mind was no lo...