My Birthday

My birthday is coming up in a few days. My age? This year is the big 37! Wasn't it just yesterday that I was twenty-something?

I meet other women who are my age and they seem to know so much more than me. They seem to have it together. They are grown ups. Am I?

I've taught school for over fifteen years. I've conferenced with numerous parents and given out my 'two cents' based on their children's school performance. Don't want to toot my own horn, but I love my job and think I'm pretty good at it.

Then my darling G was born in 2007. I found myself at square one again. Everything was new, I had to learn how to take care of an infant in the day to day world. I balanced a job and motherhood in the middle of a divorce. (CRASH COURSE!!)

I think I've regained my footing a bit. I'm striving to be a good mom, balanced with furthering my education and on the job search again. I think I'm doing ok. I have felt a bit out of sorts as an older mom. G wasn't born until I was almost 34 and he is my only child. In this day and age, many moms began having children much earlier than me. So I find myself in an odd place. Friends my age generally have older children, G's friends generally have younger moms.

Since G was born, I find myself asking for advice on how to raise him, rather than offering advice as I did as a teacher. But last week, G's therapist (who has an almost two year old daughter) asked my advice on potty training. It's amazing how one question can make the planets in my world line up just right!

I don't want to sound like I know all the answers....far, far from it. But it was nice to be asked for help again. It was nice to be needed. It was nice to be able to pass on some things that helped me when I was in the same situation. Weird how the little things can make you feel whole.

I am extremely grateful for all the help I have received. Thank you to all of you...my mom, my friends, G's therapists....who have been so kind to listen as I mull over child raising; hoping and praying I'm doing it right! And I thank God for lining up all of you at just the right place and time in my life.

This year, as my birthday approaches, I'll blow out the candles with a wish for more. More of this fantastic life!