A Day In The Life...: 09/21/08

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Cleaning Out Closets...Literally!

I have never derived such joy from cleaning out closets as I did today. I started with Logan's as it was time to prune out the summer clothes and bring in the fall. I always become very sentimental when cleaning his things out. It just signifies that my little baby is growing up - and much, much too fast at that. I suppose that hanging on to his "baby things" will keep a part of that memory alive. The memories, however, are kept safe in my heart. The "baby things" only contribute to cluttering his closet. Sooo...on with the pruning.

Next, since I was on a roll, I decided to move on to my closets. NOT something I really wanted to tackle but hey, might as well. My closets are always disasters as I tend to hold on to things "just in case"...just in case I get fat, just in case I get skinny, just in case they're in style again. The agenda for today was to get rid of the "just in case" clothes. Just in case they're in style again - ummmmm, not a chance. And if they do become in style again, that's one style I'm NOT going to revisit. Just in case I get fat - not on your life!!! Holding on to my "fat" clothes only suggests that there is a possibility that it could one day happen again. No way, not, never!!! Not even going to allow myself the tiniest of openings for that to happen. And, the best part by far, just in case I get skinny. Just in case I get skinny...uh huh - DIDN'T HAVE TO GET RID OF THEM THIS TIME!!! My "skinny" clothes were actually keepers this time. One by one I plucked out the "fat" clothes, examining each piece before depositing into a heap on the floor.

It really only occurred to me today just what 24 pounds is...it isn't just a number on the scale or clothes that are two sizes smaller. It's self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth. It is a reminder that I can do anything I set my mind to.

And oh the irony of cleaning out closets...a little boy getting bigger, growing up, learning, and discovering so much about his world. And a mommy getting smaller, growing up, learning, and discovering so much about her world.

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I am a 47-year-old single mom who works as a Legal Assistant specializing in family law, juvenile law, and criminal law. My son is the smile on my face, the song in my heart, and the hop in my step. His smile brightens my world and his laughter fills my life with joy. He is my miracle that I never dreamed possible.

My family and friends mean the world to me. They are my support and strength. As crazy as they are, they are my crazies.

I love, love, love website designing and digital scrapbooking. It is my sanity in an otherwise chaotic world.

I am also a devout animal rights advocate and child advocate, having volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children. I believe, as human beings, it is our responsibility to give back to the community that has given so much to us.

Some may consider my life boring - I, however, consider it perfect!

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded.

- Emerson

"There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace."

~ Kofi Annan

If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much.

~ Marian Wright Edelman

To understand your parents' love, you must raise children yourself.

~ Chinese proverb

The family...we were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.

~ Erma Bombeck

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

~ Desmond Tutu

With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.

~ Keshavan Nair

A person's true wealth is the good he or she does in the world.

~ Mohammed

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain.

~ Helen Keller

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.

~ Oscar Wilde