A Mom's Life

I was raised by people who were raised by people that believed children should be seen and not heard. When I was a kid, if it was summer, kids were outside. If it was winter, kids were in another room. At family functions, kids ate at the kids' table. At the public pool, the lifeguard blew the whistle and the kids got out so the adults could swim. Kids watched what TV shows their parents watched (for me: bowling, baseball, and WWF wrestling). Kids didn't go out to dinner or brunch. If they did go out to eat, parents didn't let the server stand for 15 minutes while the kids debated between mac 'n' cheese and chicken fingers. When kids talked, the adults didn't stop mid-sentence to listen, with bated breath, to whatever the kids had to say. (Like, at my house, when I am interrupted by "Knock, knock, who's there? Stinky underwear!") Parents didn't plan non-work day agendas to be filled with fun kids' activities like going to the park, the ind...

Running a marathon is a lot like having a baby. I haven't really done too many things that have challenged my physical, mental, and spiritual strength outside of these two things, so perhaps that is why I can so easily draw the parallels. In any event, this week, as I reflect back on last weekend's 26.2, it has made me nostalgic about the birth, and pregnancy, of my girls. Here's why: From the moment you think about it, you can't stop thinking about it. Once the spark is set in your mind, the fire builds. You may tell no one, at first, or you may tell everyone, but either way, it's all you can think about. The idea of it makes you equally excited and terrified. You can't wait for it to happen and you can't wait for it to be over. It makes you change all of your habits. You need more sleep. You need to drink more water. You can't drink alcohol. You have to pay attention to what you are eating and truly consider what you consume as nutrients and fuel....