I am certain that the way you actually spell PARENT is "S-A-C-R-I-F-I-C-E". It is somewhat simple (and I use this word loosely) to become a parent. Most adults know the process, and understand exactly how to make a baby happen. Some adults don't seem to understand how to prevent this from happening, but that is another topic for another day! There is a difference in becoming a parent, and being a parent. Providing DNA does not qualify as being a parent. In order to be a parent, you have to put your children before yourself. I understand that you are supposed to put your oxygen mask on before assisting others, and this stands true. However, making sacrifices is just a part of being a good parent.
 |
| The view from my computer. There is still so much unpacking left to do! |
As I type this blog, I am sitting in my bedroom. It has been 11 years since my computer was in my bedroom. I can see into my living room, my daughter's room, and the dining room all from the seat I am sitting in. Unless you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may not know that myself and my kids have relocated to North Carolina. We found a cozy 3 bedroom townhome in High Point, and are grateful to no longer have stairs that Brady has to navigate. This relocation happened because I found myself wearing the shoes of a single mom overnight. This was never my plan. I don't think anyone gets married thinking that it will result in divorce, but as a product of a broken home myself... I promised myself that this would never happen. Yet, here I sit.
I sit in this house right now because of sacrifices that my parents made for me. One thing my parents taught me well, was how to be a parent. They set a lot of good examples, and a few to avoid (hehe love you guys) and I turn to them often for advice. I respect them as parents, because I can see all of the sacrifices they made for me when I look back. How do you not respect someone who sacrificed so much for you?
I used to wake up at 7am and I would peel myself out of bed at 7:30, after spending 30 mins checking Facebook, Instagram, the weather, my TimeHop, & Snapchat. I would spend 30 mins getting myself ready for the day, and the getting the kids dressed. We were downstairs by 8am. Breakfast was leisurely, because Abbie headed to the bus stop at 8:45am!!! Brady got on the bus at 9am, and then I didn't have any kids at home until 4:30 in the afternoon.
My alarm now goes off at 5:30am. I tried hard to avoid this waking up when it is still dark outside thing, and it just has to happen. Sacrifice.
I get up, and have 15 mins tops to get myself ready. Today that meant brushing my teeth and pulling my hair into a sad excuse for a messy bun! Sacrifice.
I started breakfast, and pulled out medicine. I woke up Brady at 5:55am. I had laid out outfits the night before to try and make this morning run a little smoother. I woke up Abbie at 6am. I got Brady up and dressed and Abbie met us in the kitchen. While the kids ate their breakfast, I finished lunch boxes and loaded back packs. I also chugged a cup of coffee. Sacrifice.
Medicine, teeth brushed, hair brushed, ears on, socks & shoes, kisses on foreheads... and out the door at 6:30am. Neither child could believe that it is still dark outside! We waited for Brady's bus. It arrived at 6:42am. After Brady was loaded, it was back to the house for 15mins so that Abbie could finish eating, and grab her back pack. 7:04am, back out the door. Abbie's bus arrived at 7:19am.
Back to the house where I finally had a moment to catch my breath. The moment is short lived. There is only one of me now... so it is time to do laundry, vacuum, unpack more boxes, make beds, clean the kitchen from breakfast, and finish whatever else needs to be done. Sacrifice.
Soon, I will have to go to work after putting Abbie on the bus, and all of this will have to be done in the evenings, along with homework, reading, fixing and eating supper, baths, and spending some quality time with my kids. Sacrifice.
One day they will be grown and I can't get this time back. I can't imagine not doing all of this for them every day. I can't imagine not seeing their sweet smiles every day. I can't imagine not kissing boo boos every day. I can't imagine not saying prayers at bedtime every day. I can't imagine life being different than it is right now.
So I will continue to make sacrifices for them, because I love them.
I would burn the world to the ground for either one of them.
That is being a parent.
That is sacrifice.
