Why We Lie

The other day another mom paid me one of the greatest, if not undeserved compliments, when she asked me to help her get organized. She was lamenting the constant juggle of children, their activities, keeping house and caring for ailing parents.

I felt so flattered she thought I had it “together” and reassured her that while I am doing a lot, I often feel I am not doing anything particularly well. Not mothering, being a wife, and certainly not my life as a writer.

Sure, I get by. The kids get fed, they get to their activities and their homework is turned in. I make sure they have clean clothes - even if straight from the dryer or, more realistically, from the pile that needs folding…

But as much as I tried to convince my friend this unbalanced act is the norm, I couldn’t help but feel guilty about the lies told a week earlier to two younger women from my alma mater.

I felt like a deer caught in headlights when one asked, “Is it possible? To have it all? Children, marriage and a career?”
Tell the truth or fib? I like to think I skirted along the thin line between both - being truthful by omission.

No one truly wants to hear being married and raising children is harder than any job. They certainly don’t want to know the challenges when you add a full-time job to the mix!

So as much as my friends and I bemoan these things no one told us when we were in college, neither are we the ones to divulge this truth. Because as hard as being a wife, mother and writer can be at times - this life is more rewarding than mere words can describe.

And, I guess, that’s no lie.

written for http://blog.sacramentoparent.com/ 

Schools Out For Summer

My Facebook status June 18 at 10:14am:

SactoWriteMama already sent the kids to their respective rooms. Now THAT’S what I call a summer “break.” Three weeks down, nine to go. Sigh.

 

written for http://blog.sacramentoparent.com/ 

 

Hug Them Tighter

One morning, I saw this photo posted on my of my Facebook friend’s pages. The description was simple: “Last night was one of the most scariest moments in my life.”

Of course I had to read the rest of her post and later got even more details when we visited in person.

Carol’s son had one of those clip-on reading lamps with a bendy neck - the kind you find at Target or Walmart - attached to his bed. When he was ready to go to sleep one night, he couldn’t turn it off, and put a pillow on top of it.

HOURS later, Carol awoke to an acrid burning smell and went immediately to her son’s room where she saw a thin trail of smoke rising from underneath the pillow. She lifted the pillow and found a toy figurine melted a crisp and burn spots on the pillow and sheet (and even on the mattress underneath). Her son was fast asleep and was none the wiser until the following day.

The next morning, Carol teared up when talking to her two children about what happened while they slept. The family reviewed fire safety and she hugged them both a little tighter that morning. Then she posted the picture on Facebook because she figured others had similar lamps in their homes and should be aware of the potential danger.

Even sharing the story now gives me chills and makes me want to hug my own a little tighter.

written for http://blog.sacramentoparent.com/