What I Learned This Past Year

What I Learned This Past Year

2018 was a rough year, but here I am strong as ever, maybe stronger, and for sure more tired.  In February I introduced my dear daughter and she began helping me with some of the blogging tasks, but life has a way of changing things and that didn’t last.  Two short months later she enlisted in the U. S. Army.  This was a shock for all of us, but has proven to be the best thing in the world for her.  

I learned so much this year, especially about my daughter.

I learned she is confident and strong.  I learned she is tough as nails.  I learned that she trusts me and appreciates me more than I ever knew.  

My daughter joined the U.S. Army this year and is growing and thriving and succeeding in ways I never knew she could.  

I learned that I can be a substitute mom for my two granddaughters.  I can run them to dance lessons, and pediatrician appointments, read stories, stand in for the tooth fairy and run around playgrounds.  All things I thought I was finished with years ago. Not the things I thought I would be doing at this age, but I am doing it all with love for my granddaughters and my daughter.

 

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20 Comments

  1. Dear Chloe, I have thought of you so often as you have faced this challenge, and I am so proud of your beautiful daughter for not only following her dream, but sacrificing for our country! I know you are tired, bless your heart, I could never take care of my grands full time! Thank you for sharing your experience!

    1. Thank you so much Jenna, I think it is all of the good vibes, thoughts and prayers that are keeping me going. Just 6 – 7 more months to go! I am trying to treasure the time instead of looking at it as a burden!

  2. It’s not easy to let our children, no matter how old they are, do their own thing. You did yourself and your daughter proud here by letting her follow her passion. She looks like a beautiful, confident woman, and I wish nothing but the best for her. Happy new year, Chloe, I’m looking forward to all of your projects this year.

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Pattie. Yes, I was not originally happy with her decision, but now I see it was the best thing in the world for her. Happy new year to you, too!! I am getting geared up for both little projects and a couple of bigger house projects to share!

  3. Dear Chloé,
    nothing more wonderful and strong than the love that unites a mother and her daughter and what about a grandma and her grandchildren these past (and next) months are (´ll be) probably difficult but they will leave unforgettable memories for all of you.
    I wish you a very happy New year for you and your family

  4. You are very strong, so it is easy to see where your daughter got it from. You must be so proud of her! Your granddaughters are beautiful! Wishing you and yours a blessed New Year!

    1. Thank you so very much Michelle, I think I put on a good act! I am incredibly proud of my daughter, a girl who was so unsure of herself and doubted her self worth for so long has done an incredible 180!

  5. Chloe, I have thought of you often. Grands are such joy, but I know how tiring it can be. I keep my little granddaughter three days a week, and I love every minute, but it is physically exhausting! Your daughter and grands are beautiful! Blessings to you and yours in 2019.

  6. Chloe, I am very close to my local sister with whom I share the love of antiquing, and she is very much a substitute mom to her granddaughter too. It takes a very special person to fill those shoes. Jokingly, my sister always notes things like, “4th grade was really hard!” or “we just finished 6th grade exams, whew!” She helps with homework, horse lessons, pickups, drop offs, and everything in between while mama works a managerial job. God bless you, and to your daughter – thank you for your service!

  7. Chloe, you are a trooper — your daughter must be a lot like you! I can’t imagine how tough this year has been for you all. At the end of the rainbow will be an especially close, loving relationship with your grandaughters.

    1. Thank you so much Debbee, I think my daughter is amazing. You are right, I am close as can be with these sweet girls and I will always treasure these times we have spent together.

  8. Chloe my friend….you know how I feel as I have spoken about it often, but you also know that there are so many learning experiences for us in life…. and I especially love the learning experiences that appear at first sight to be burdens or “not a right fit”. Then, when we find ourselves in a “situation”, we look back, and a light bulb goes off and we say…”thank you God”.

    I have to confess that there have been times when I have questioned ….”what could I possibly learn from this situation I am in now, other than to realize, I am miserable most of the time “??? BUT, no matter what I think is the possible objective… (I am usually sooooooo wrong)….many years later I realize…ahhhhh, “THAT” prepared me for “THIS”.

    You have already learned so much from this experience and as you said, you are seeing the fruits of your labor even in this early stage. There have been times I have questioned the choices of my children (and myself) . That is normal.

    You have the right attitude…take the time to enjoy these next few months…believe me they will fly by.! You have been molding these precious little girls day by day. What a privilege. just remember to get plenty of rest and quiet time for yourself too. Your daughter is beautiful and we thank her for her service.Hugs and love!

    1. Thank you for reminding me to look for the “silver lining” in this situation. My husband and I recently talked about finding joy in this time and that is a good reminder. Thanks for the reminder and the hugs!

  9. Quite a challenge but one it appears you, your daughter and grandaughters are getting through together. As a matter-of-fact, it appears you all are thriving. Nothing else is necessary. From the outside looking in, this looks like love to me.

  10. I retired after a 30 year teaching career in western NY and moved to Windermere with my husband.two of our sons were already down here in graduate school, and the oldest and his wife moved a year later when she graduated from pharmacy school. Grandkids arrived over the years and I babysat the 3 oldest for 11 years. I still take them to school every day and watch them on days off and during the summer. This year I felt God urging me to start watching our other son’s 5 year old. I pick her up from school and take her to her after school activities, as I had done for the others. I’ll have her all summer too. It has been tiring but the best years of my life. Being able to watch them grow, read to them, do crafts, have tea parties, etc. see the world through their eyes is a joy. When they napped I did…lol. And I still try to take a half hour nap before getting in the carline. Find the joy, see the blessing, and enjoy blessing your daughter by being there. It’s all God’s plan!

    1. Oh my, God bless you! You are almost a neighbor with me in Celebration! You are right about the tiring, and about the blessing of seeing the world through their eyes! I know I am so fortunate to have this time with the girls, although I do want them to be back with their mama as soon as they can, I know they miss her dearly. Thank you for stopping by Celebrate and Decorate, I love hearing from my readers!

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