Every year at about this time, I think about how my life appears to be different from the lives of most people. For the first time in a long time, I’d like to focus on the similarities rather than the differences. So I’ve come up with a list of New Year’s resolutions just like everybody else’s. However, how I plan on achieving them may set me and Moms like me a bit apart. Please glean from them what you will, and together we can change the world.
I will eat right – and left and in the middle.
I will exercise more – by increasing my workout from lifting my 13-year-old son in and out of his wheelchair 46 times a day, to knocking on my neighbors’ doors, lifting their grown children, plus a very large cat.
I will be on time for all my appointments – by changing the time of all my appointments.
I will make more time for myself – by still being late to the above appointments.
I will drink less – by limiting my coffee intake to only six cups a day, relying only on screaming children and sensory music to keep me awake.
I will find happiness within myself – instead of on eBay.
I will lose weight – by eating chocolate only when there is a medical or school crisis, or family emergency–never mind – goal unattainable at this time.
I will volunteer more – for help lines…for blood drives…for homeless shelters… for jury duty…for clinical trials of a new mood altering drug… anything to get away from my own life’s troubles and personal stress.
I will be kinder to people – except for certain school people and those people who “just don’t get it” with whom I am struggling merely to remain civil.
I will save money and get out of debt – by canceling my health insurance, which is giving me insufficient coverage and slowly eating up every penny I have ever earned.
I will hug my children more – and at the same time provide them with the necessary sensory input needed for them to regulate themselves, thus killing two birds with one squeeze.
I will live in the moment – because the hours and days are too overwhelming.
I will read more – even though I comprehend less.
I will clean out my closet – by increasing my pant size.
I will be more decisive – maybe not.
I will enjoy life more – how? I will use magic thinking.
I will be more assertive…
I will be more organized…
I will be a role model in the community…
I will create and inspire…
I will floss…
I will stop believing this baloney and just focus on surviving and doing what’s best for my family.
I will take each day as it comes – because no matter what I do, they just keep coming anyway…
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy New Year.