When did I Become my Mom?

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, an amazing mother and a close friend for way too many years to count. After many years of us girlfriends being inseparable, she's ended up migrating to another country and starting her family far away from home.

We keep in touch via Facebook and Skype and email. Thank God for the wonders of technology! We've been able to video conference and see pregnant bellies and new babies, and have long talks about... girl stuff! Anything and everything really!

Anyway, this one time she mentioned to me how everyone else really seemed to have it together. At least they look like they have it all together judging by their Facebook pictures. This supermom - who juggles studying law full-time, working part-time and mothering full-time - she was looking at our friends' lives through the lens of Facebook and judging herself by it!

I definitely took the time to clear up that misconception for her! To let her know that what we put out there are the memories we CHOOSE to remember! Or to laugh at! These are the photos that make it into frames and scrapbooks. It's just that, in this Information Age, those scrapbooks have become a lot more public than they used to be.

The fact is, it's usually much easier for us to share this ("Teamwork!") with our friends

than this (a photo I lovingly call "Toga Kick")

And quite frankly, the mischief that gets caught on camera is usually quite accidental. Funny that we could look at those and think that they actually give a true impression of what life is like for that person.

It's the same thing with blogging isn't it? I mean it really makes me wonder. What are my photos and writings saying about me? What do people think I am about when they read my posts?

I have no idea, but I really am curious. I can tell you, that I try to write as honestly as possible since this blog is like a diary of sorts to me. And the straight writing helps me sort out my thoughts.

But no matter how honestly I write, there's no way I'm going to capture everything here. There's just not enough time, not enough words, and frankly there's life to be lived. Quite apart from that is the fact that when writing about situations involving others, there's usually a lot of censoring to protect relationships and respect other people's privacy.

So today as we start off 2010 with a fresh slate, let me introduce myself to you again.

Hi! I'm a former social butterfly hippie child, turned mother of 3 and career businesswoman.

I love my children dearly but they drive absolutely up a wall at times. At which point I am sure that my neighbours hear me screaming my head off sending people to timeout and whatnot.

I decided long ago that a happy home was worth more to me than a spotless one. (And I remind myself of that often these days. Especially when I walk into the boys' room).

I am flawed and imperfect, but I listen and I try to learn. I am blessed with a family who knows and understands my flaws and loves me anyway.

I cry at movies, and sad stories, and sad songs. Do not come crying to me telling me your sad story unless you've brought enough tissue for both of us. (Stoppit!)

If however, you're stuck on sad, and have decided you enjoy the attention that comes to you when you are there, and you just want company to perpetuate that attention, you're eventually going to find me missing when you come looking for me. (I believe that clinical depression is very real. I believe that it's disrespectful to those who truly do struggle with depression for you to wallow in indulgent "depression" without making an attempt to change your situation. I know people who struggle to make their lives better every day, railing against the monster that really is depression.)

I can be a big ole softie, but I have the heart of a lioness and will show no fear to stand up and protect those who are being trampled on. I do not tolerate injustice in my presence.

I believe that what goes around comes around, and that it's up to us to bring positive change to the world around us, even if that positive change is a tiny one that would go unnoticed by most people. (There is one who will see and will notice.) I believe that a genuine heartfelt smile can make the world a better place.

Here's to 2010, and to trying to live each day to the fullest. Here's to dusting yourself off when you fall, and picking yourself up to try again.

Here's to being the best me/you that we can!

Cheers!