Loren’s Life

To sum up the last couple of weeks, I’d say I’ve had to be “Mama Bear” protecting her cubs. No one should underestimate the power and dedication of a mother. I am not the perfect mother, I make plenty of parenting mistakes. I could name quite a few things I could do better. I’m a work in progress and love will get us through. My long as my children are my number one priority, I’m okay.

Twice recently I have had to bare my teeth to protect my little ones. Wow, I know no one ever said breaking up was easy but why, why, why would someone have absolutely no consideration for the kids feelings? Dragging them into arguments, bullying them into providing information, rejecting them to get back at me? I hope the person in question will realize the error of his ways soon. Until then, I need the strength to keep my focus on what’s best for the kids.

Then, after the kids’ problems with their dad, my Mama Bear came out again regarding a situation at school. All I have to say is I might look like a quiet young mom who wouldn’t say Boo to anyone but DO NOT MESS WITH MY CHILD. That’s all I can say about that right now except that I will protect my children until my dying day and after I die, I’ll send my ghost to do it for me.

Loren

I was born with two left feet and no rhythm. I am sure rhythm must be a genetic rather than a learned trait. Not to say that my momma can’t dance, as the song goes… love ya mom! I love to dance but I hate dancing in front of people. I can never stop imagining what a fool I must be making of myself. How everyone must be snickering at me…

My insecurity probably started with my very first boyfriend. Puppy love. I was twelve. He was sixteen. Anyway, he took me to a high school dance and we had a good time, or so I thought. Until a few days later when he informed I couldn’t dance and how embarassed he was. But no worries, he would teach me how to dance. Um… no. I broke up with him shortly after. I mean, really, who was he to talk? He was sixteen and dorky and dating a twelve year old, maybe because there weren’t any high school girls who would date him??? Anyway, now the belief that I couldn’t dance was in my mind.

Time went on, I danced a little here and there, not well, not comfortably. It didn’t bother me too much. I still danced alone when no one was watching.

The no rhythm thing came up again with my kids’ dad. In addition to everything else he teased me about, he loved teasing me that I didn’t have rhythm. We danced here and there, somewhat comfortably, especially after I’d downed a few drinks… I had my kids and danced with them, as long as, again, no one else was watching.

Once my daughter became a little older, I was determined that she wouldn’t follow in my off beat footsteps. She now takes Tahitian hula classes and gets better by the day. She’s going to be great! I practice with her (still too shy to wiggle in front of others) and have improved a little. My kids are my greatest cheerleaders. My daughter tells me “Mom, you’re soooo good!”

I dream of the day that I impulsively start dancing, leaving any naysayers with the realization that I can dance, it just took me a long time to learn.

“Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching.”
–Satchel Paige