Helping Each Other

            I haven't blogged in awhile thanks to a sinus surgery I put off for two years and finally had the nerve to undergo.  (I'd been told horror stories from prior patients that quite frankly scared me.  Guess what?  They were right!).

            I scheduled this procedure back in February and decided that with the kids out of school, June would be the best time to do this.  I still think I made the right call as to the timing since the rest of our summer is packed with activities, but I have to say that there is no good time for a mother to be "off" when she has two young boys to tend to.

            For me, I was very lucky.  My mother came in from out of town and my niece is staying with us this summer, so she helped out as well.  My seven-year-old did his part too.  He took the time to sit with me and comfort me, which I really needed.

            When I originally planned this, I was careful not to schedule any work related activities during this time.  I also didn't arrange any camps or play dates for the kids.  I figured we'd all just hang out and take it easy with Mom.

            What I didn't count on was that my seven-year-old would make the All-Star T-Ball team. First, since this is my blog, I'll brag here a bit.  I am VERY PROUD OF HIM!!! This is his first year playing baseball of any kind and during the season he made some plays that would put a few Big Leaguers to shame. What I wasn't expecting, however, was the schedule they would put these kids under if they were lucky enough to be picked for the All-Stars.  Practices every day under the blazing Texas sun and tournaments every weekend, sometimes with two games in a single day. The kids also aren't allowed to swim any day they are practicing or playing which means they can swim one day a week if they're lucky.  Try telling a seven-year-old at the beginning of the summer that he can't go swimming!

            Clearly, I couldn't have made it the last couple of weeks without the help of lots of people in addition to my immediate family. I want to give a special Thank You to all the people who helped me with this during my dire hour of need-Judy, Elizabeth, Coach Don, and all the Moms of the Stingrays baseball team (especially Sue who happens also to be a nurse in my ENT's office-because of her, I received clearance to go to the Championship game-my doctor assured me she'd know what to do in an emergency).

            So why am I sharing this with the world?  Well, I think every once in awhile it's important to remember the bond we all share as Moms and that more often than we might like to admit, we need each others help.

            Today, if you happen to see a young mom in the grocery store or the airport (as I once was on one memorable vacation) struggling with a crying infant in one arm while trying to coax a three-year-old off the dirty floor, please offer her a hand.  I can assure you that even that small gesture will be much appreciated.