We are all we need.

My daughter has been sick for 2 days with a high fever, sore throat - a basic cold.  I've been keeping her hydrated and medicated to keep the fever down.

Today I made a batch of soup.  I work from home on  Fridays, so fortunately, I was able to put it on and let it cook in the background while I attended all my meetings.

She's been lying on the sofa next to me, drifting in and out of sleep.  At one point, she woke up and thanked me.  "You're the best mom in the world.  I remember when I was little and sick, you did this for me all the time".  I told her I would do this my whole life.  She's a joy to have and it's not work.  Even late night wake-ups (she was up crying last night at 4 am)- they are not work.  It's a labor of love and I would do it a thousand times over, with pleasure.

I told her not to worry.  She can grow up, be an old lady like me with kids of her own and I will still lay her down on my sofa, cover her with a big blanket and make a batch of soup.  She smiled and said "Mom I would do it for you too".

I told her I know she would.  I have no doubt.  After all, the three of us are a family.  "We are all we have, so we will always need to be here for each other".

"No mommy.  You're wrong.  We are all we need".

My heart melted.  I stand corrected by my 11 year old daughter.  We definitely are all we need.  We have been blessed with each other.

So does this mean the wounds are starting to heal?  I certainly hope so.  Maybe it's a sign.

Second Degree Blackbelt

My son earned his second degree Blackbelt two weeks ago.  I was really proud to watch him go through the 2 hour test.  I also wasn't sure if he would want to continue.  The classes are a big time drain.

It turns out, he wants to continue. 

I'm definitely going to support him (don't get me wrong, as a single mom with no child support coming in for the past 1.5 years, I definitely was looking forward to the money savings).   But here is the thing.  He loves it, and I personally think that the focus on Taekwando will keep his focus away from other things, like hanging out with friends in malls etc.  So the money is really a small price to pay.    If he wants to focus his energy on positive things, I'm certainly not going to stand in his way.

He even has a plan (a man with a plan.  I love it!).  He wants to work towards his next belt and in two years, apply for a job as an assistant trainer.  Not a bad idea at all. 

As I watched him receive his belt and bow to his instructor, I couldn't help but get teary eyed.  We have come a long way. 

And as we drove home that day, he held my hand and thanked me.  "Mom.  You supported me and encouraged me.  While dad deliberately made me skip belt tests just to be mean.  I know you called them and got them to schedule belt tests on days when we were with you instead of him so I could actually take these tests.  If it weren't for you I'd probably not even have my first degree Blackbelt"

And so, just like that, in one swoop, my heart melted and all was perfect in the world.  It is all worth it.