Brutal Honesty About Motherhood -- The Rebuttal

This morning I was supposed to continue my series on Momnesia.  But I felt that I needed to thank everyone who responded to my post about my really bad day on Tuesday.  Those who reponded to my post and emailed me privately -- THANK YOU!!  You made this guilt-ridden mommy feel 100% better knowing that I wasn't alone!

I also wanted to share something with you all too.  The morning after my post about my motherhood breakdown, I got the following email from my daddy.  It was just too good not to share -- and put a whole new perspective on everything!

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Is that all?

I thought someone was sick or something happened when I saw the time of the post.  Just remember you're not perfect.  No one is.  Even Jesus got angry in the temple and started kicking butt.  I'll bet Mother Theresa wanted to kick A** a few times and they want to make her a saint.   I know you want to be the perfect mother, but she doesn't exist, only on TV or in the movies. You will be tested again many times, but you learn a little bit more each time.  That's what motherhood is - a continuous learning process that lasts till Dani and Nadija leave home on their own.  Hopefully to start their own learning curves.

One more thing,  it's part of a child's growing up process to test their parents to see what is tolerated and what is not. That's where you then become the teacher, like training your pets (Mitzi and Zoya excluded).  They have to learn from you too.

While typing this reply, I couldn't help but remember the arguments you and your mother had over those "turnip jeans" you wanted to wear to school.  Hopefully Dani has learned not to push THAT button again and moves on to the next "try this button" in her notebook of growing up.

Relax, you're a good mother, wife and daughter most of the time. All will be forgotten the next time Dani hugs you and says "Thanks Mom".  Relax - go get a double at Starbucks aad have Robin make you a gooey chocolate cake - she is a real good friend.   Take an extra trip to your Happy Place, talk to Cuddles and Mitzi.

Enough I'm late for Breakfast.

Luv Ya ......dad. 

PS - Remember a rubber hose doesn't leave any marks.

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Have I mentioned how much I love my daddy??

And to let you all in on the "inside jokes":

** The turnip pants were a God-awful pair of stretch jeans that I absolutely LOVED throughout high-school.  Looking back on them now -- they were the epitome of a fashion DON'T.  But I loved them and I wore them over and over -- partly because my mother didn't want me to wear them.  The consummate battle of the wills.

** The reference to Cuddles and Mitzi.  The "Mitzi" here is not my dog  -- but my very first teddy bear that I've had since I was a baby (but our dog IS named after her).  She is now wrapped up in plastic and her stuffing has turned to sawdust.  Cuddles is another fat, pudgy bear that I adored -- and still have as well.  Growing up, my daddy and I bonded over those teddy bears.  He would make them talk for me -- and we'd carry on conversations through the bears.  We did that up until I moved out on my own.....and they haven't talked to me since.  But they are extremely good listeners! 

Just like my daddy!