Good mommies

I’m fairly new to this big, amazing world of blogging. I had no interest in it because I couldn’t imagine why others thought that their ideas and lives were so interesting that others would want to read about it. Well, I’m now hooked. Not as much as writing blogs because I struggle, but in reading what others are thinking.

It’s an interesting world where you can give thoughts, ideas, rants, views, recipes, tips for polishing tables (haven’t seen this one yet but thought I’d throw it in) – you name it.

One interesting one I read tonight was a mother writing about what could be perceived as over protectiveness or just simply being a good mother. Knowing where your kids are, that they’ve eaten the right foods, that they’re also fed intellectually as well and that you have kept them as safe as you possibly can.

I finished reading the blog and was left with an emptiness in my stomach and my heart. Can we really protect them 100%? Of course we can’t. A mother who has lost a child can understand that. A mother who hasn’t would prefer not to even think of it. I can’t tell a mother that if she does everything in her power to protect her child that it’ll all be okay.

I was an over protective mom. I didn’t let my son do a lot of things because I worried about his safety. I wouldn’t let him walk to school, and I had to know where he was every minute. When he pleaded to do things that other mothers were letting his friends do, I used the same old tired explanation my mother had given me, “if your friends jumped off a bridge, does that mean you have to?”

I had always gone to Girl Scout camp each summer from 8th grade on. Now my son was almost fifteen, and I wanted him to experience the fun that I had and so many memories. I wasn’t the normal mom who just filled out the papers and sent him. I checked into camps and found that the YMCA had a week long camp on Catalina Island that sounded perfect. I went down to the Y and talked to the person in charge. I asked about their care and supervision – what would happen if they were hurt – how far was the closest doctor – would there be someone with medical experience at the camp? I did it right. I sent in two forms instead of the required one because I wanted the counselors to be sure they knew that my son had migraines. I put my trust in them.

My son fell off a 100 ft. cliff on his third day there and died instantly.

I still wouldn’t tell anyone to guard their child 24/7. Sadly I learned that we have absolutely no control. I think of all the mommies who let their kids run wild – going barefoot in the winters and letting their kids run through a store – and whose children grew up to have their own children. Does it make it scarier for me to say this? No, because we have horror stories thrown at us all the time. We can only do the best we can and make sure that we give them all the hugs and kisses and love that we can. And at least I know that while he was here, I did take care of him the best I could. I think it would be awfully hard if I couldn’t say that.

I love sweets!

My latest ‘thing’ is doing art and designs relating to food. This week – primarily sweets . . . evidently. So, when I began to work on a masthead for my blog, what came to mind – what else? Sweets! I’m just hoping it gives you a nice feeling when you enter my blog site – and not a horrible craving for sweets.

The sweets shown here are all non-fattening and can be found on a huge selection of items in my Cafepress shop – lovealot
I don’t mean to give the shameless plug – again – but I truly love what I’m doing. To create something is divine – but to have a place to use it is even better.

If you enjoy designing, painting, coloring, photography – anything in those categories – or even just a simple saying on a shirt, just click here cafepress site and read how easy it is to open a shop or submit your own design! It’s an excellent outlet for the ideas and designs you have dancing in your head. I think now I’m confusing it with sugarplums. Will have to try those next.

Remember … all of this is nonfattening!