In a few hours, B will be home from New Zealand and my odyssey into single parenthood will be over for the time being. It has been quite a roller coaster. I have cried four times; one, writing a miss you email to Brent, two, Rose wouldn't go down (but I quickly realized because she needed to burp), three, top chef finale, and four, I can;t remember but I know there was another time. This emotion obviously means I've been living close to the edge these past nine days. But, I did it. I have been able to look after an infant, dog and house alone simultaneously without causing pain or destruction to any of them. Except the scorch mark on the coffee table that is currently hidden by a coaster.
Together is definitely better than alone. I'm ready for a weekend of the three of us and less nappy changing.
On Thursday, President Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. The speech reminded me that he is a leader worth following. His considered view of humanity rings true for me. Here'e one example from the speech that I would have highlighted:
"But we do not have to think that human nature is perfect for us to still believe that the human condition can be perfected. We do not have to live in an idealized world to still reach for those ideals that will make it a better place. The non-violence practiced by men like Gandhi and King may not have been practical or possible in every circumstance, but the love that they preached -- their fundamental faith in human progress -- that must always be the North Star that guides us on our journey."
Of course we will make mistakes. The important thing, as Obama is saying, is to not repeat then again and again, but to learn from them and become better. You can forgive yourself if you learn from your mistakes. You can't forgive yourself if you make mistakes and fail to change.
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