Successful Single Mom

Do you ever feel like you are your own reality show? Between the kids, work, and things that happen, do you think your life is filled with enough ___________ (you fill in the blank)... so much so that even if you tried, you couldn't plan the things that happen?

I've felt that way recently. Things just keep happening, and all I can do is sit back and laugh.Yesterday, I needed to flip my mattress... you know, how you are supposed to flip your mattress every six months (Mine is more like "when I can remember to do it"). Usually, I can do this without a problem. I just push the end closest to me up on the wall, then pull the bottom end out and the top end lies down. And voila. It's done!

I think, just because I've done it before, it should go just like the other thousand times. One would hope anyways. So, I pull up the close side of the mattress and step onto the box spring while lifting the mattress up over my head. I walk with the mattress pushing it slowly against the wall. So far so good. I walk on the box spring to the front edge (not side) of the bed and pull the bottom of the mattress thinking it would just plop down like it usually does.

It's being flimsy (like most mattresses) and difficult. Still standing, I tug slightly on it turning my back to use it as a shield, as though I'm going to incur deadly force from it. I feel it heavy on my back, and then it plops down alright... plops down right on me taking me to my knees. Shocked by the unexpected weight, it takes only seconds before it squishes my energy and lays me out flat. I am completely trapped between a huge pillow top mattress and a box spring. I feel like my life is being sucked out of me. No one is around except my sleeping five-month-old baby, and I'm not sure what help he would be--besides maybe laughing at his clueless mom.

The way I'm positioned, I can't just scoot or pull myself out. I don't know what else to do. So I do the only thing I can think to do. I muster up the strength to literally roll out and onto the ground. Then I take a deep breath and get up, just like any ol' good, single mom would do when she finds herself in a pickle.

As I stand looking at my bed, I realize it was a fight to get it done right, it didn't happen the way I planned, and I'm worn out but I was able to turn my mattress over. Many times, we don't have someone else to rely on. We don't have the support of someone helping us with small things like turning over a mattress, but that doesn't mean, we as single moms, can't do it on our own. We have to muster up the strength, find the courage, and take a leap. When we do, we find a way to succeed.

It may not happen in the way or the time that you want it to happen, but that doesn't mean you give up. It may wear you out, but it will be worth it. You keep at it step by step, moment by moment with your goal in mind. You will get it done and you'll accomplish what you thought may not be possible.

You are strong. You are courageous. You are a fighter. You are a winner. You will succeed at anything you want to do. You are fabulous! You are a hero! YOU are a single mom!