It takes a Village...

So, my last posting obviously stirred up some emotions for many people, including myself.  After much soul searching I have realized that I stand behind what I say.  Those were my true feelings put out there and I own them.  Can't be taken back.  Indelable ink.  However, I have been thinking about this concept of "having it all" and here's what I came up with.

I can have it all.  I just can't expect or be expected to do it all, MYSELF.  The reason I can "have it all" (a career, a family, personal space, a blog) is because I am constantly supported by an amazing family and a strong network of friends.  I can have it all because I am not alone.  I share my parenting responsiblities very fairly with a great husband and an amazing father.  He is always putting our girls first and we make a great team.

But we can't even do it on our own.  We have someone who will do anything for us.  Well, for the girls.  She will drive them anywhere.  She will pick them up. She will bathe them (too much).  She will feed them (too much).  She will get them toys that they don't need.  She will be sure they are never short on chocolate milk or milkshakes.  And she doesn't even care if they spill M & M's in the car.  She will rock them to sleep or pat their backs if they need it.  Even if it takes 2 hours for them to fall asleep and it is 10 o'clock at night.  She puts them first.  All day, every day.

And she doesn't even ask for a penny in return.  Well, she does ask for kisses; many of them.  And she gets something that means much more.  She gets ear to ear smiles every day at the school pick up.  She has the entire preschool class wrapped around her finger and wanting her for a grandmother.   She has the admiration of 2 little girls that NEED her.  And she is forever woven into the fabric of their childhood and lives.

Her name is Zeese.  And no one else has her name because no one can fill her shoes.

So, it is not that I was trying to insult a family that does so much for me.  I just had a momentary lapse of recognition of just how lucky I am.