Brenda Patnaude writes for us again today:
I was a young single mother of a 3 year old boy when I was offered my first “real” job. I enthusiastically accepted, looking forward to putting my training to use and to finally getting started with my career. A quick moment of panic came over me once I hung up the phone: I had no day care. I had no car. I lived in the city and the job was 20 miles away in the suburbs. I’ll make it work, I said. And I did.
We left the house promptly at 5:30 AM each morning so I could arrive on the job by 8:30 AM. Unfortunately, 3 year olds do not walk fast or “hustle” when you need them to. So I bought a lightweight, inexpensive umbrella stroller which quickly became our most coveted means of transportation. We walked with it through trains, buses; morning and night through sun, rain, sleet and snow. (It was a royal pain in the snow…). We did this for a few months before my son noticed something different about our favorite friend.
We arrived promptly at daycare on a normal sunny morning – thanks in large part to the fantastic stroller – and as I was folding it up to put it away my son stopped me and said very simply, “the wheels are gone”. I had no idea what he was talking about. I asked him again, and he repeated it, but this time pointed to the stroller. Frustrated that we didn’t have time for this with the train, bus, walking schedule we had, I reluctantly humored him and looked. Sure enough, we had walked so much, we in fact wore the wheels off the stroller. We had been moving along on plastic nubs – for who knows how long – where the wheels used to be. It was only then that we took a moment to marvel together at what we had accomplished and what it really meant.
So, enough about me… How about you? Have you checked the wheels on your stroller lately? Maybe it’s not a stroller, but perhaps it’s the tires on your car, your favorite carry-on bag or the soles of your shoes that have been right there with you through your hard work and successes you’ve created. Please do me a favor, and go check them out….take a look at the wear and tear and think about what it represents. Recognize all of the things you have accomplished in the past day, week, month, year. Celebrate. Dance. Smile. And don’t forget to do this regularly.
I am lucky, as I have a personal reminder to do this from time to time. When I can twist my now 23 year old-6 foot tall-200 something lb. son’s arm to come visit (yes, I’m one of thoooseee mothers) he’s still very observant of all that is around him. When he notices that I am stressed or worn out, he simply puts his arm around me, and says quietly in my ear, “hey mum… the wheels are gone”. It’s then that I remember to stop what I’m doing or thinking and notice what really matters – my beautiful daughter, my wonderful husband, my comfortable home. And then I thank him with a smile as we raise our glass of wine in celebration. Because we made it work.
