real, raw motherhood
My sister’s boyfriend, Muller, was intent on introducing me to a martial artist who was visiting Reunion Island to teach a series of seminars. I looked at the flyer he handed me, unimpressed. “I don’t like guys with long hair”, I said when I saw the mullet the man in the photo sported. “He’s a…
After a lifetime of a strained relationship, five years ago I severed ties with the woman who gave birth to me and raised me. I don’t call her mom since she’s never behaved like one. We live oceans apart and she came for an extended stay at my house when my daughter was eight months…
Dear new mama, I am only a few years ahead of you in this amazing journey of motherhood. I still hold more questions than answers but I’ve learned a few things. New mothers receive much unsolicited advice that range from the very useful to the very annoying. You probably noticed this already during your pregnancy.…
People often ask why I chose to homeschool our 6 year old daughter. This week we conclude Kindergarten. It’s a good time to answer that question. I homeschool because I can. It’s a simple yet powerful reason. All of us who live in this great country have the freedom to choose how we educate our…
How do you react when someone tells you NO? I don’t like hearing it. Never have. Never will. Last year, my husband needed surgery. He decided to undergo the procedures at a major Hospital on the west coast where one of the best surgeons had operating privileges. We traveled as a family with our five…
The nurse congratulated me and laid a sweet baby girl into my arms. I gazed into those big blue eyes filled with the most wonderful kind of love. This helpless beautiful little creature depended on me for everything and she wasn’t doubting that she would get everything. Looking into her face was like looking into…
She is six years old now. Just like that. Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink Blink Blink. Six years gone by. Each year better than the previous. Each year witnessing her growing up and me growing. I am not the mother I was six years ago. Thank goodness! I always had good intentions but my actions didn’t…
A new week! Reset! Here’s another chance to be who I want to be, do what I want to do. Do what I ought to do. Exercise. Eat healthy. Do Laundry. Read aloud. Clean. Cook. Nap. Go to the library. Work. Play. That’s life. The mundane, the sacred and all that’s in-between. You’ve got to…
Tonight, I did laundry. I grabbed my headphones and listened to my current favorite: the soundtrack to The Last of the Mohicans. The music moves me, just as the movie did. As I smoothed the wrinkles away from my husband’s shirts, just out of the dryer, their warmth spoke to me. I was struck by…
Hi. My name is Sarah and I am a recovering perfectionist. Striving to always be and do your best may sound like a good thing but perfectionism is crippling and exhausting. Life’s harder when you’re pulling a ball and chain. Lately I have been very intentional about letting go of perfection and celebrating progress instead.…