How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

Hindsight is 20/20

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If I had a crystal ball I would have done a few things differently in 2009. Don’t you ever wish you could have a do over? I certainly would never wish the year away because there were a lot of laughs, a lot of giggles, many milestones and we made memories. However, if I could write a wee letter to myself..it would look something like this:

Dear ModernMom
Hang on Honey, 2009 is going to be a wild and crazy ride. This year is going to be a bit of a roller coaster. Keep in mind that a well lived life is full of tears and laughs, hugs and moments that take your breath away. You have a lot to look forward to.

January
During one wild and crazy snow storm you will stop to help push a strangers car out of a snow bank. You think you are setting a good example for your girls. You know. Women can do anything men can do. Pay it forward, do unto others. All that. Don’t do it!! You will fall on your ass and crack two ribs and bruise your butt to an ungodly shade of purple. Plus that bitch will just drive away without so much as a courtesy wave. A full year later you will still be in pain.

You will consider starting up a blog. A place to pour your heart out. Probably no one will read it but you but it will be a great creative outlet. Do it!!! This will be come a crazy passionate pastime and you will be fortunate enough to “meet” some amazing people this way!

February
Your washing machine will die a slow painful death and you and the Hubs will need to replace her. DO NOT buy from that big box store. They will deliver the wrong one, then a scratched one and then it will shake like a son of a gun. ….cause they broke it when they installed it. Sigh. Go buy from the little guy who stands behind their product and answers their customers calls when they are frustrated and in need of clean clothes!

Your BlueEyed Girl will enter and dominate her first gymnastics competition. Proud is not a big enough word. Take more kleenex.

March
2 weeks in Florida? Can you afford it? You can’t afford not to. Do it. Amazing family trip.

April
Easter is going to come and go in a flash. Too much running around this year, do yourself a favour and offer to host the families at your place. Also…don’t buy so many Easter Eggs. You should not still be chowing down on little bunnies on Halloween.

May
You will be SUCKED into hosting another charity event. Can you please learn to say no?
Oh and Hubby will write you the sweetest birthday letter ever. Nothing beats the power of a love letter.

June
Your SweetGirl will shine brightly at her piano recital. You did the right thing encouraging her to take those lessons. Keep on nagging.

July
Your girlfriend will call you and you know something is wrong. You are right. Drop everything and run. She has a brain tumour. She needs your help. Be strong. You can do it. She will get through it. (she does)

August
The summer is slipping by you because you are distracted…by friends in need, by pain. Focus. Make a plan. Make sure your kids are still first. It is a hard month. One day at a time.

September
Escape everyone and run away to a cottage for a week with just the kids and the Hubby? YES. Do it. It will rejuvenate you. You will all re-connect. Best decision of the year. Oh and Happy Anniversary:)

October
Um Honey, don’t bother trying to find the perfect Halloween outfits ahead of time for the girls. They are BOTH going to change their minds at the 11th hour. you will end up with one Gypsy (courtesy of the dress-up clothes) and a football player (cause Dad still has his way old uniform).

November
Best decision of this month…acting classes for SweetGirl and pulling way WAY back from the PTA. Some of those Mama’s are loco!

December
Please, please don’t leave the Christmas Cards until the last minute. Sending out cards on December 22nd is probably bordering on insulting. You can do better. Slow down and reflect on how lucky your really are.

Try to remember to:
~laugh
~appreciate your friends
~be thankful for your health
~play with abandon
~choose with no regret
~and live as if this is all there is.

Happy New Year

    • Comments

    1. I love your recap and seeing YOUR lessons learned. Isn’t it great, that we never stop learning about OURSELVES???
      Happy New Year to you and your family!
      Suz

    3. That’s quite a year in review! Sorry about that ungrateful bitch of a driver. The nerve!

      I hope your friend is well. That’s a scary diagnosis, I’ve lost my little brother and favorite boss both to brain tumors. Brain tumors are hellish to say the least. I’m glad your friends was treatable.

      I liked your remember list.

      I’m looking forward to more great posts from you in 2010. No pressure Lol!

      Have A Happy New Year!

    4. I love this idea of looking back and seeing what you would tell yourself. Somehow puts it all in perspective. What a great post! I always enjoy your writing so much. Thanks for the hours of enjoyment you’ve given your readers. Happy New Year!

    7. really, if only we knew things ahead of time and could give ourselves a heads up, what a difference it would make.

      happy 2010!

    8. Nice reflection on reflecting in a back to the future learn from the past while you live in the moment kind of way…huh?

      Happy New Year! You’re my favourite crazy Canadian!! 😉

    11. Sounds like a wonderful year…even with the hard times. I also have PTA burnout and I think I’ll follow your example this year! Have a great New Year’s eve.