Motherhood

My girls were babies when Marvin began to travel. It's all they know as far as his profession is concerned. His longest time away from home was 5 months. The girls were in elementary school and I worked a full-time job. It was hard!!! As challenging as it was, I still did everything I could to create memories with them.

We did Girl Scouts, dance lessons, trips to the park, play dates with friends, etc. I tried not to deprive them of their childhood because I was parenting alone in that season.

We went to church regularly,(a 30 minute drive one way). It was easy to stay home, but I pressed my way. I could have made the excuse that I needed Marvin at home to help me, but I didn't. I prayed for strength, pack up my girls and off we went.

That stint of Marvin's absence took such an emotional and physical toll on me during that time, I took a Mother's Day vacation alone. I sent the girls to a babysitter and drove to Niagara Falls for the weekend for a time of refreshing and relaxation. At the time we still lived in Michigan.

As wives and mothers the hardest thing for us to do is take time for ourselves. For many years I didn't have a lot of time to myself. Parenting alone consumed any free time. To this day, single parents have a special place in my heart.

I don't regret any of the sacrifices I made. I always looked at them as investments. It was a season, and I had a small window to sow as much into them as I could. One thing I would have done differently was to make more time for myself.

Now, my kids are teenagers and can drive themselves whenever they want to go. My oldest daughter is going to college in the fall. My how time flies!!! I've been blessed with two girls that love the Lord and have a reverential fear of Him. They are very respectful, loving and have a sweet spirit. I'm honored that God has allowed me to be their mother.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, do not despise the season you're in. Your children are small for a period of time, but will be adults for the rest of their lives. Embrace this time with them, before you know it, they will be grown and gone.