Single Parenthood

I could never do it. Not in a million years.

My husband travels for his job on a regular basis. Not every other week, but at least 6-8 times per year. This is one of those weeks. And it's one of those times that I have to step back and stand in awe of those parents who raise their children on their own. I could never do it all the time.

This also happens to be the week we go back to school after a wonderful, 10-day holiday break and the week we get the first measurable snow of the winter on a school day (the school day that for some inexplicable reason they chose not to delay the start of school by two hours). Not to mention the below-zero wind chill that makes me clench my Reynaud's-prone fingers into a tight fist. It's hard enough to get out of bed to go to school on a semi-pleasant winter morning, let alone on one of the ones we've had this week.

And then there's the overall emotional tone of the winter so far -- one of grieving and loss. Starting on Thanksgiving with the loss of a friend way too young, followed by the death of my grandfather at 91, then three weeks later the death of my daughter's preschool director after a prolonged battle with cancer. Three funerals in two months.

The losses continue for me through colleagues, two of whom have suffered sudden and devastating deaths of loved ones. We are a family of sorts where I work and I am the faculty welfare committee representative -- the one who sends out the cards and flowers for staff "life events." But although I am mailing out those two sympathy cards with a heavy heart, at the same time I am mailing "Congratulations!" cards for two staff members with brand new babies. Life does go on.

And so must I. In the scheme of things a week of solo parenting isn't all that terrible. Exhausting, yes. Unfair, perhaps. But in the scheme of things I must try to find a way to be thankful that I have these beautiful children to parent -- even by myself. And I must again acknowledge the amazing feat that is raising a child (or children) on one's own.

So as my husband returns on Saturday (while his parents are staying overnight watching the kids while I'm away at an all-day speech team competition for which we depart at 6:30 AM) I give thanks that my stint as a single parent is a temporary one. And I send as much of my strength and patience as I can spare to those parents who have to do it all the time.