What I learned during the summer of 2016...

1. There are still mean girls at the age of 48, and they are as mean as ever. Take that however you would like...

2. Some parents live through their kids, especially in sports. I knew this was true, but WOW! is it ever a thing.

3. Part Two: Parents want to make their kids lives easier and will "mow down" anyone in the process. Hence the new term, "lawnmower parents." 4. My bathroom is much cleaner than it was prior to August 17. One word: Bella. Oops! A new word: Erik.

5. Part 3-Living through your kids and trying to control their experiences can lead to some nasty crap...this year was a tough one.

6. My daughters are strong women. Each has made some pretty tough life decisions in the last six months. Very different ones, but big nonetheless.

7. Being a mom means that there is constant fountain of forgiveness. 8. Your job is not who you are, it is what you do. 9. Sometimes you trust people to have your back and they don't, while others you never thought would, do. Follow that? 10. My children have had to deal with some really "unfun" consequences as a result of some bad decisions. People like to judge, but people also like to support. 11. Good friends are like gold. 12. Betrayal sucks!

13. There is nothing like watching your kids grow...intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. 14. God and religion are not the same thing. 15. Dogs trigger serotonin in the brain, truly making them this girl’s best friend. It's a natural high! 16. Finding the "gift" in things can take a long time. I don't believe that there is a gift in everything, but trying to find one is not a wasted effort. 17. Forgiving and forgetting are equally difficult. 18. Living enthusiastically "out there" is a draining experience. When you love you love, but when you hurt it's tough. 19. There are some pretty amazing people in this community. The last year has been a horrific for many, but I think when all is said and done, it is the people that will make the difference. (Originally posted August 28, 2016)

Comments