Today I received an e-mail from a girl I knew in high school who is my younger sister's age.
In her message, she told me how much she enjoyed reading my blog and how she related it to her own life. Her mother was a stay at home mom for 20 years. She explained that she would not be the same person today if her mother hadn't devoted so many years to her and her siblings.
I was taken back when I read the message for two reasons 1) I haven't talked to her in years and 2) I couldn't believe how kind it was of her to write me such a heartfelt message.
Right now, being a stay at home mother is my job. It consumes my life in almost every way and for someone to recognize the importance of my role and to commend me for it felt so wonderful.
She said my blog is encouraging and inspring for her and it's funny because her message had the same affect on me.
Sometimes when people ask me "and where are you working now?" I almost feel embarrassed when I tell them "oh I'm just staying home with Cambria for the time being." But when I really think about it, I get mad at myself for feeling ashamed to say that I am currently spending my days raising my child. My life is so full of joy and however long my days may be sometimes, I am always, always fulfilled at the end of the day. To me, that's success.
When someone takes the time to appreciate something you feel so passionately about, something you are devoting almost all of your time to, it feels wonderful.
To the sweet girl who wrote the message--Thank you so much for inspiring me! Keep passing joy like that and you will make a big difference in this world.
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| Taken at Piedmont Park-Spring 2009. |
Don't feel ashamed at all, it's such a wonderful gift you and Kyle can give your kids (because it's just as much his decision to live on one salary). My mom says it is by far the most important thing she's done in her life, and she knew and loved her kids so much more seeing them throughout the day so she knew little things that would be wrong with us or quirks and things we liked, etc. I could not imagine my life without my mom at home with me growing up. Even in high school, her being there after school to hear about our days was kind of essential (high school was rough for me for a few years). I believe what you're doing is so, so important. No one will love Cam & her siblings as much as you do, so why put them with someone else every day? I agree completely with your reader & friend!
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