A Mothers Way

Dear Mom

On this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let me tell you a story about you and me and your granddaughter Shelby.

"Hi Mom, I'm in a really bad space" so many things went through my mind in a flash. Was she pregnant? I was also impressed with her language because I understood the language of space. Yes, she is my daughter and we sometimes speak the same language. Shelby had been to a high school leadership camp on the weekend. How profound for her had it been? What did she want to reveal to me as a result of her experience at camp? Or had she lost a friend to death? In the half an hour since I had last seen her. All this went through my mind in the nano second that elapsed in this moment, what was really true?

Then she let it out, I forgot my bag of clothes on the bus. Now, that may seem small and insignificant and what you may not know dear reader is what the clothes represented.

The evening prior, Shelby and I made a trek to Mountain equipment co-op to purchase some "spandex" for her to row in. What fun we had! I watched her amazement and pride as she poured her young svelte body into the luscious hugging spandex Not, only did this clothing look great on her, it was performance gear for her beloved rowing sport. I could relate. It is important to be equipped with the proper gear. She looked amazing and the smile on her face told me she felt it. Ringing up at the cash had me paying down a hundred dollars easily, and I really felt her sense of gratitude. And her bubbly non-stop verbal thank-you's were classic Shelby!!

So, when she phoned the next day with this news my heart sank for her. In a heartbeat I knew her disappointment and her pain. I also felt her embarrassment and sense of stupidity for "forgetting" this very important bag. Not, once did I ask a painful "how could you ?" sort of question, or go to a preachy tone with "you know how much those clothes cost blah blah blah scenario.

I assured her they would probably show up at the lost and found at the bus depot. I hung up and sat down to journal and the solution came to me. I would simply replace the outfit. The other important thing about this day was it was the day they were going to be "on the water" and I knew how much that mattered to Shelby. By simply replacing the clothes this day, she would miss nothing. The clothes would either show up the next day or not. If they did great, I would return the extra pair, if not, I would still want to replace the outfit. She deserved so much more than what the lost clothes were costing her.

I felt smart, satisfied and really proud of my quick thinking and action. When I arrived at her High school to deliver the new package, by serendipity Shelby was right there in the front hall ready to receive. She was appreciative, grateful and bubbling with her enthusiasm and simple joy. As if somehow the new clothes had replaced her lost sense of self.

You have heard this story up until this part mom and what you remembered was the time I lost that very special leather coat when I was 15. You reminded me of your very same response. You had the solution when I was devastated and heartbroken.

"Just replace it!." And that is what you did.

Up until this point in our conversation I had no conscious memory of my lost clothes experience.

It was after we spoke that I was able to piece together the fabric of the stories. Yes, the story runs a very deep parallel. And what I know and what is so amazing and way more important than the details is the "mother's way" that I was able to emulate. Many reading this story may be judging and thinking this is a story of excess or a story about clothes.

The magic in this story is in the threads of time and the lessons that were laid down in the building of the child's self esteem and image. It is also in the patterns that were used to create a template for mothering. A template that I use so automatically, I sometimes forget it is there. This template of unconditional love.

So today is about honouring the patterns and design of whom you are as my mother and all the beautiful ways that you mothered me. Your gifts that I know if we explore will find stories that go back in time to you and Gan (your own mother)

Today dear Mom we all stand in front of the mirror and see the sartorial splendour of our work. I know that I am part of a design line that any girl child will be proud.

And it is beautiful.

Teresa O'Neill is the parent to four fabulous children. As a single mom she has made choices in her work life to align her value of family and work. Her decision to be a life coach allowed her to combine her obvious talents and skills with a career choice she is in love with. She has actually practiced Entrepreneurial skills that has allowed her to run her own business Coaching Connections.

She guides other Entrepreneurs in the practice of "A Better Way to Work" A coaching program that she delivers. It is absolutely possible to have room for it all! Success in business and in family life. In fact it is imperative to living fully. Her playful spirit and kind heart shows up whether she is coaching a business woman in her fifties or in the swimming pool with her eleven year old son.

http://www.coachteresa.com

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:07:34 GMT Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline - InformationWeek PR Web (press release) Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline InformationWeek - 4 hours ago After 10 years as a company, Google is making the Chrome browser key to the coming of age of cloud computing, or software as a service. Mozilla updates Firefox 3.1 with Alpha 2 build Computerworld Mozilla releases second Firefox 3.1 alpha CNET News CRN - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Examiner.com - Hartford Courant all 231 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:46:03 GMT 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times 'Bangkok Dangerous' Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago The Pang brothers remake their audacious 1999 film, but without the gritty, seamy feel of the original, it seems like just another bullet ballet out of a Steve Wynn dream. 'Dangerous' prosperous at box office Variety An Assassin Arrives to Turn Off the Lights New York Times Metromix - Reuters - Boston Herald - Portsmouth Herald News all 275 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:52:03 GMT FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated - Washington Post ABC News FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated Washington Post - 21 hours ago By David Brown The Food and Drug Administration will begin posting every three months a list of drugs whose safety is under investigation because of complaints brought to the agency's attention by drug companies, physicians and patients. The Basics on the Foodfight Over Irradiation U.S. News & World Report 20 Drugs FDA Is Watching WebMD Wall Street Journal - Los Angeles Times - The Associated Press - CNNMoney.com all 535 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:19:40 GMT Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout - New York Times Washington Post Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout New York Times - 50 minutes ago By AP Evan Royster rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns, Daryll Clark threw two scoring passes and the defense for 19th-ranked Penn State did not miss a beat without two suspended starters Saturday in a 45-14 victory over visiting Oregon State. Clark, Royster lead Nittany Lions to romp over Oregon State Seattle Post Intelligencer Big Ten early notes: Penn State makes a statement ESPN The Associated Press - SportingNews.com - Dawgman.com - Big Ten Network all 388 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:17:05 GMT Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... - U.S. News & World Report CTV.ca Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... U.S. News & World Report - Sep 5, 2008 A Resolute Strategy on Georgia: One day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced "at least $1 billion" in aid to Georgia, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report looks at increasing criticisms of such programs. Bisphenol A may harm fetuses, infants and children Food Consumer That Plastic Baby Bottle New York Times eFluxMedia - Los Angeles Times - Washington Post - AHN all 308 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:01:40 GMT 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice - Variety 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice Variety - 5 hours ago By JEFF SNEIDER Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion. Pic stars Mickey Rourke as a past-his-prime wrestler on the comeback trail. 'Wrestler' wins Golden Lion Hollywood Reporter "The Wrestler" wins Venice Golden Lion Reuters Independent - The Associated Press - guardian.co.uk - TIME all 418 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:11:44 GMT Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds - New York Times Times Online Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds New York Times - 3 hours ago Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin held a rally on Saturday at an airplane hanger in Colorado Springs, Colo. By PATRICK HEALY and MICHAEL COOPER Fresh from the Republican convention, Senator John McCain’s campaign sees evidence that his choice of ... On to the main event for McCain, Obama Atlanta Journal Constitution Obama, McCain to Honor Victims of 9/11 Together Voice of America AFP - Hagerstown Morning Herald - Washington Post - Financial Times all 1,434 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:23:34 GMT Clickbank Data Feeds Earn Money At Home

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Who Are You When the Professional In You Meets Baby?

Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More

From Go Fast Kids to Calm Kids

How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 3 Ways to Make the Time

Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More

What To Do When You Think Your Child Might Have AD/HD

AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common... Read More

Create a Story Book with Your Child

A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More

Sibling Rivalry: The Magic Trick That Stops It Instantly

It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More

What About ADHD Teens and Driving?

This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More

Spend Time Not Money With The Kids This Winter

Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More

MORAL ARMORS Irrational Parenting, Part II

Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More

How Useful Are Bed Wetting Alarms

Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) for Teen Drivers

Drivers 16 years of age have little driving experience, putting... Read More

Single Parenting: How The Challenge Of Single Parenting Affects Your Decision To Divorce

Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More

Anorexia Nervosa Alert - is Your Daughter Dying To Be Thin?

Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More

CAMP INJURIES- 7 Things You Must Know

WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More

Im a Father, Doesnt Anyone Care?

The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More

Advantages of Using a Board Certified Pediatrician

When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More

Educational Toys - How Do Parents Choose The Best Toys For Their Child

The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More

Role Models for Your Teen

By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More

Teaching Kids to Read

We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More

Creating Great Birthday Party Videos

My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More

The Importance of Fathers

There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More

ADHD: Some Survival Strategies for Parents

In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More

Homeschooling Takes Your Child Out of Public School --- A Unique Benefit

Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More

Vouchers --- Parents, Dont Depend On Them

Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More

Tips for Parents of Teenagers: Dont Just Survive - Thrive!

What makes parenting so challenging at times? One widespread research... Read More