By ELKE GOVERTSEN
I sometimes get it right, but sometimes I get it very wrong.
That pretty much sums up my career as a mother.
I never include how to articles in Mamalode (the magazine for moms that I publish) for a couple of reasons. One, it is already been covered in the mountains of parenting resources. Second, I really love hearing other people’s stories and would rather learn that way. But mostly, it is because most of the time I have no idea what I am doing.
Being a parent is amazing. And it is HARD. It is mind bogglingly overwhelming, from the level of exhaustion at first to how complicated it gets as they become their own people.
Today was a mixed bag. I felt fear, hope, excitement and pride and shame. We made some amazing memories. We had a low moment that I know we will not forget either. It is constant whiplash as we swing through our days.
We are a roller coaster, this little family of mine. We dive towards a crash, only to recover and rejoice. We anticipate the excitement and celebrate for all we are worth. We are up, down and turning new blind corners.
“This is the ride I’m on. This is the ride I want.”
That last line is not mine in that I wrote it. It is mine in that I gave birth to my first son while the song “Magnolia Street” by Catie Curtis was playing—the song that pinnacles with that line. That was also the first song at my wedding. And the one I go back to and find the connection that makes me look at my husband with real eye contact. So in a way that song is mine. Pretty much in the same way my children are mine. They are not. They are their own. But they mark my life in ways that only I know.
Sometimes I get it very wrong, but sometimes I get it right.
(To hear the song go to http://www.myspace.com/catiecurtis/music and play “Magnolia Street.”)
Back to Mama About Town blog home page. Thoughts? Please scroll below and feel free to “comment”.
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Bio: Elke Govertsen is the publisher of Mamalode which is a magazine and website for area moms. When not juggling her family, business, and the laundry (disclosure – there is no laundry being done whatsoever) Elke tries to eek out time to write, do yoga, and read like a fiend.
Love the blog, and love the song Elke. Catie is so soulful–and so are you!
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Been listening to Catie Curtis for over a decade now, and love knowing that she is a part of your world. Best to you always, no matter what part of the ride you are on!!
Love, Crystal
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yes… yes and yes again. right there with ya mama!
thank you for this validation, needed it today – beauty.
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Beautiful, Elke! I hadn’t heard the song before, and I absolutely love it! Great sentiments about the wild ride. I can totally relate!
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This ride never ends, We are blessed to have the trip. How empty and lonely life would be if we were the only one ridding.
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So, you’re saying that those of us who are single and have no kids lead empty, lonely lives? News flash: Life is never empty or lonely as long as chocolate is within reach!
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Yes, indeed, thankfully the ride never ends. As the mother of two young adult sons, at times it seems we all ride in different cars on the same track. At other times, we are still all in the same car experiencing the steep curves, beautiful views, thrilling moments, and sickening plunges of growing older together – they to become strong independent young men and us to truly let go. What a ride and what wonderful men I have on my track with me.
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Beautifully stated SuzAnne!
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“a dream, but it’s true; i am not the same since i met you.” xoxo
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[...] this blog? Check out these Mama About Town, Elke Govertsen’s blogs: This is the Ride I’m On, or Bedtime, or F*#%ing [...]
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