New Beginnings Disguised as Chaos
As a working single mom, I’ve never been one to wallow in the challenges of the balancing act. I’ve accepted the fact that I live in my car 6 out of 7 days a week transporting my kiddos to and from dance, football and soccer practices. I’ve accepted the fact that no matter how hard I try, we will run out of milk before I buy a new gallon and it’s likely that we will be late to at least three events each week. I’ve also accepted the fact that I am going to mess up … a lot.
This summer, especially, has been a summer of chaos and mess ups. The kids and I were dealt a challenging blow with the end of a long-term relationship, delays with selling and buying a new home, and the task of rebuilding some of the bonds we had lost in the shuffle of just plain busyness and chaos.
These challenges were a blessing in disguise. While sleeping on mattresses on the floor, we’ve had a chance to cuddle as a trio to watch movies. While selling old furniture and long-forgotten toys, we’ve been given a chance to wash away some of the old pain in search of new beginnings. While packing up our memories, we’ve talked at length about the new memories we are about to make. I’ve learned so much about my children this summer than I have in a long time – without these challenges and a complete release of baggage wearing us down, this would not have been possible.
At the end of the day, as tired as I am physically and emotionally, I’ve realized that I have the best job in the world as a mom. Not only do I get to have these wonderful people to myself, I also get to see their smiling faces each and every morning. I get to congratulate them when they master a triple or conquer a tackle. I get to talk with them about their day while driving through Starbucks and kiss them good night, no matter how many times they tell me they are getting too old for that. I get the opportunity to ‘be’ something to them, like no one else.
In a few days, I get to provide them with a new beginning that will change their lives forever. And, I can’t wait to make it a reality.
– Shannon Philpott
Blog Entry: July 18, 2012
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About Me
Three words to describe me? Passionate. Motivated. Curious. These traits help me as a college media adviser and professor, freelance writer, author and mom. From student journalism and higher education to parenting and freelance writing, this site, focused on writing, reflecting and teaching, offers a mix of blogs with a hint of humor, sarcasm, and inspiration, as well as my published stories on just about every possible topic.
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Shannon Philpott-Sanders 
Shannon,
What a great attitude! It is so easy to get bogged down in the negative and all of the challenges. I only know a little bit about all of the changes right now in your life, but it sounds like you’re doing a great job of holding onto what’s really important. Congrats on your new beginnings. I can’t wait to see you in October!
Kenna
Beautiful, Shannon!
Shannie
I think you are wonderful. But you will always be our GUS