Happy Mother’s Day To Me! (and other single moms)

That’s a strange sounding title, I know! But let me explain; as a single mom (not a divorced mom or one with father(s) in the picture, a real single mom), my boys have not yet learned to appreciate me (lol) so I am appreciating myself this year!

Just how am I recognizing my selfless, loving, nurturing, caring, (thankless), and yes, flawed role as Mom? I bought myself a present! Something I can’t really afford but thanks to HSN.com (UGH) and a payment plan (double UGH!!), I bought a new digital camera. I’ve needed one very badly, my old one is ka-ka. Here’s the scoop on the camera:

It’s a FujiFilm FinePix S1500. I know nothing about cameras other than the research that I’ve done online and it is standard knowledge in my family and circle of friends that I am as good at taking photos as I am at cooking…that’s just sad trust me. I figured with dual image stablization (?) my pictures won’t all be blurry anymore and this one looked like the best one for the money that I could find (plus it was on special at HSN!).

I’ve taken a couple of shots with it (a couple like 50-60) and so far I haven’t been able to take a decent one. The best photos I’ve taken were for my scrap room progress post and as you can see, they aren’t great. Now, it can’t be the camera, just like when I cook it’s not the pot/pan/oven/microwave….so I know it’s possible to take a great picture with this camera…I just have to figure out how! If there are any photography experts or naturals out there who have tips for me (other than read the manual because I’ve done that twice already lol), please leave me a comment, I’d love to hear any feedback I can get. Especially if I bought a sucky camera, I want to know before it’s too late to exchange it for another! (although I know it’s not the camera, odds are it’s me).

Speaking of Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share this for any other single moms who may be having a difficult time, especially around this holiday (or any for that matter). I wrote this article when my kids were 8 and 4 (they are 16 and 12 now!), posted it online and Blue Mountain Arts found it and asked if they could published it in one of their books so believe it or not, I’m kind of an “author”! Anyway, here it is:

Single Motherhood
Written by Kathleen Driggers

I’m a single mother. When I say that I say it with Pride, Humility, Strength, Fear, Gratefulness and Honor. Kind of an odd mixture of feelings, wouldn’t you say?

I have recently had a chance to gather with other single moms and while I sit back quietly to watch and listen, I’m amazed at what I hear. Many single moms seem to focus a major of their energy complaining about the “ex” or the missing parent, or how unfair life is, etc. While I can certainly understand these feelings associated with being a single parent, I have come to the conclusion that there comes a time when you have to decide one of two things.

You can sit around and be angry at your child’s father for not being here, for doing this or that, or not doing anything at all. You can be sad, depressed, feel worthless and victimized or… You can count the blessings and be grateful you have been given the most precious gift in the world: your children. I choose the latter.

Okay so I’m human and there are times when I feel a twinge of jealousy when I see a happy looking family or a father and son playing ball, etc. But, before I start drowning in my little world of sorrows, I remind myself that I wake up each morning to the sweetest little voices saying “Mommy wake up I’m hungry.” I get to tuck them into bed each night, I’m the one they come crawling into bed with when they are afraid, I’m there to soothe them when they have a nightmare, I lay in my room and listen to them giggle when they should be sleeping … I am participating in their lives on a daily basis!

Oh the gifts I’m given of seeing them crawl, walk, and talk. Oh….the first time I heard them say “Mommy” or “I love you”, how sweet the sound. I have the honor and omnipotent “mommy power” to kiss away their boo boos and their fears. I watch them as they laugh and play, and as they go to school and make friends. I get to help them with their homework. Heck, I’m the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy!!!!!! I am MOMMY!!!!!

So, I say to myself, Wow, how much luckier can a gal get? I have two beautiful little boys that I love with every fiber of my being and they love me back with the most innocent and unconditional love imaginable. I’m everything and everyone to them, I’m all they have. Now THAT is a responsibility I do not take lightly. And it is one I accept with the great humility.

So rather than complain about how hard it is or how unfair it is that you are raising your children alone or that the father does this or does that, be grateful for what you do have and remember…. The next time someone asks you what you do…tell them proudly, I’m a single mom.

Okay so it’s a little different now that one is a teenager and one is a pre-teen but you get the message, right?

I would like to wish EVERY mom a Happy Mother’s Day! Do something special for yourself even if nobody else does. You deserve it!