In the Beginning

In the Beginning.... no, no this isn't a religious narrative. Or at least not in the Biblical sense. It is, however, a very special type of religion- well not a religion because parenting doesn't have a handbook let alone a Bible. But maybe a club, well not really a club either because clubs leave people out...at least that's what I used to tell my students and now, my children. Let's try this again... In the beginning, there was a woman. She was a mom, a wife, a teacher, a daughter, a sister, a friend. She loved to write, to read, to teach, to think, to listen, to nurture, to believe and to run. In fact, she did her best thinking while pounding the pavement, mile after mile. From dinner menus and an ever-growing to do list, to hot political topics and relationship strategies, she filed thoughts away with each step. She did her best loving and listening with a heart that had been broken from love and loss, and glued back together with hope. She is ME, and this is a blog for YOU; for the mom (or dad - or whomever you are or dream to be!) who feels like somedays are run on empty, but continue to give it your all. Sleepless nights from a crying baby, pint-sized nightmares, coughs and colds, or the never ending ticker tape of thoughts that allow insomnia to creep in. I have thought about this blog for a while, seriously with every step. Three major things sparked this jumbling of words into fruition: my daughter's journey with advanced Lyme over the past 9 months, my son's preschool graduation, and my sheer exhaustion(and delight) as a mom. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart- motherhood makes you realize what a beast/warrior you actually are. We pull strength and courage we never thought possible. Even when we are so tired all we can do is cry. The good news is there will always be friends who will hold us up when we fall. I will say it for you, and you will say it to someone else, "You're not in it alone, Mama." I vow never to write things that aren't true- at least in feeling- because disingenuity (lol) and motherhood simply do not mix. So much so that I leave you with this photo-my son was OVER it all. I came home from running the 2016 NYC 1/2 Marathon, eager to pose with my three medals/ My then 16 month tyrant was having none of it. A picture perfect way to describe motherhood- medals and all, there is always room for a tantrum. This isn't a handbook, a Bible, or a "How to be a Good Mom" blog. This is a collection of thoughts and stories about my journey through motherhood. The good, the bad, the funny and the tough parts. Enjoy, enjoy, and know there is no such thing as a perfect mom or a perfect family. We are all just wading our way through- the only part of the handbook we can all agree on is love. xx MLT