The Impossible Dream
in Giggles on September 7, 2021
Today is the day! My book, Why Some Animals Eat Their Young, dropped at midnight. To say the least, this project has been a labor of love…a project in the making for the better part of a decade…an impossible dream.
I’ve been trying to remember ALL of the rejection letters, ALL of the emotions, and ALL of the daily life that has cumulated in these 200 pages. So far, all I’ve come up with is this: I did it!
Well…to be honest…it wasn’t me that did anything. It all started twenty-two years ago, at the end of July, the night I met my husband. I didn’t know it then, but my life would soon be unrecognizable to me.
Within months of meeting him, we would be married and a few short months after that, we’d begin trying to start our family. I survived the first few years of our marriage with coffee, redneck-determination, and the grace of God.
Of course, in the middle of living our life, we had no idea what we were doing! Three kids in twenty-six months was a Mission Impossible type of gig. But we did it. We did it together.
This book is about trying to survive those unsurvivable days. I’m well past those years, now. But as this last weekend proved, I’m still needed.
We almost have all three of the kids out of the house, and safely tucked away at college (Elliott is bringing up the rear, but he’ll be gone come spring semester), yet every once in a while—one comes back.
Why?
Well, I’m glad you asked. Here’s my theory: Jeff and I pulled off an amazing feat. We not only stayed married, but we also provided a loving and safe environment for our kids. That sounds like it should be a given, but, trust me when I tell you—that is not always the case. More than once, we’ve “adopted” a few stray kiddos along the way. Our house was more than a house…it was a HOME.
A few days ago, over the weekend, I got a phone call from our daughter. Even though she’s been out of the house since the end of May, she had a momentary case of Homesickness. She needed some time with Mom and Dad and the comfort that comes from simply sitting in the same room with us.
In short, she just needed some quiet time.
She was home for only one night and about a day and a half, but that was long enough to fill her tank and mine. She knew there would be no questions, no judgment, just a peaceful comfort that can only be found squished on the couch between Mom and Dad, watching a really stupid Adam Sandler movie.
My new book chronicles my chaotic life while all three of my kids were small (think: under nine years old). Admittedly, while I was in the throws of that portion of my life, I could not WAIT for it to be over. It was tired, no check that—I was exhausted. Nobody listened to me: Not the kids, not the dogs, not even my husband (at times). But, I kept going…taking one day at a time…and praying along the way that I wasn’t messing things up too badly.
The old saying goes, “Hindsight is 20/20.” I know that to be true. Did I make mistakes? Duh. I wrote most of them down in my book! Did I cherish every precious moment? If I’m being honest, no. No I did not. I was too busy surviving. But, did I show and tell my children each and every day how much they were loved? Oh, without a single doubt! Would I do it over again? Ummm, that’s a negative, GhostRider.
My point is this: We have no idea what tomorrow holds. We don’t even know what the rest of today will hold! So, for all of my tired and stressed Mommies out there, let me just tell you: Y’all are doing a great job! I know you’re tired. I know that the last meal you ate was probably the unwanted crusts from a PB&J. I see you. I was you. I am you. For now, love on your babies. Kiss them. Squeeze them tight, because even though these days are unimaginably long, the years really are short.
One day, you’ll get to look back, and think: I achieved the impossible dream. My children are grown and self-sufficient…and every once in a while, they remember that a hug from Mom really IS the best cure for just about anything.
I hope this brightened your day. Please go out and BUY MY BOOK! Then tell all of your friends! Have a great day!
One thought on “The Impossible Dream”
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Linda says:
Wooho! Congratulations Dallas! You hard work has been rewarded! We are so proud of you! You did do an awesome job as a mother and wife…and still are…love you so much!