Tag Archives: Holidays

Happy Mother’s Day Road Widows!!

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A few inspirational quotes for all you moms out there … Enjoy your day!

“Making a decision to have a child — it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  – Elizabeth Stone

“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.”  – Jewish Proverb

“Women do not have to sacrifice personhood if they are mothers. They do not have to sacrifice motherhood in order to be persons. Liberation was meant to expand women’s opportunities, not to limit them. The self-esteem that has been found in new pursuits can also be found in mothering.”  – Elaine Heffner

“If nature had arranged that husbands and wives should have children alternatively, there would never be more than three in a family.”  – Lawrence Housman

Bring It 2012

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As I sit here on New Year’s Eve, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of contentment. Sure, 2011 was a tough year for my husband and I – professionally, mentally, personally. Yet we persevered. And we’re even stronger for it.

And sure, my husband isn’t here to spend New Year’s Eve with my daughter, parents and I (he’s in Boston playing a show). But who cares. Life is good.

I have a beautiful family. The most perfect little girl. An amazing husband. A loving and supportive marriage. A house we love in a neighborhood we adore.  We are fortunate when many others are not and we have good health.

I could reflect on the year past and think of all the hard times. Be ready to just forget about it all and start new. But that’s not necessary. 2011 may have been a big time of transition for us – a time for reflection and soul searching. But even though it was hard, I wouldn’t erase it. Because it all had to happen in order for 2012 to happen. And I know good things await us in 2012.

But what I really know is that all that “stuff” from 2011 isn’t what it’s all about. We Road Widows spend so much time talking about “life on the road” and how that interferes with normal life. The hard times, the sorrows, the frustrations, the anger, the hurt. But in doing so, we often divert our focus from life that happens “off the road.” Life, love, family. That’s the good stuff.

So I’m ready. Bring it 2012. Show me what’s in store. I can’t wait!

Last run of the year

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Last trip of 2011!

This last weekend was one final “run” for my husband and many musicians here in Nashville. It seemed my Facebook page was nothing but posts like, “Heading out for three shows in four days! Last run of 2011!”

Friday night, I took my husband to the bus to head out for a show. Winter always means the schedule slows down considerably, and it felt weird to realize we hadn’t done bus call in a couple weeks. Even weirder, though, was knowing it would be several weeks before we did it again.

Having my husband home is always something of a double edged sword.

I absolutely LOVE having him home. Its a treat to not be flying solo at every gathering, to wake up together every day, and to not rely on our cell phones to stay in touch. We get the quality time together that we crave the weeks he’s gone on the road through the summer. Plans can be made, and every thing from a day relaxing at home to a night out on the town is cherished.

On the other hand, we’re both in the, “We can’t spend a single penny when off the road!” mode. Budgeting is never as vital as it is in the winter, since we find ourselves primarily living on the the money that we’ve saved up the last few months.

But… I choose not to focus on that. I welcomed the last run of the year with open arms. The next few weeks together will be wonderful! We have Christmas, New Years (which, my husband usually works but is off this year), and our wedding anniversary all coming up. And I am SO excited for all of them!

I don’t mind the road widow life, but I sure do enjoy having some time off from it, too.

Who Will Be My Valentine?

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Usually I don’t know the answer this, but this time I do. My husband! He is coming home on Sunday, just in time for Valentine’s Day. It’s such a rarity for him to be home on a holiday or for a special event, that this one really surprised me.

With my husband’s career choice, he tends to miss most holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I can’t remember the last time he was home on my actual birthday or our wedding anniversary. In fact, we’ve been married for more than 5 years now, and have never been together on October 9th (our anniversary) <sigh>. All you Road Widows know what I’m talking about. (Interestingly, though, he always seems to be home on his birthday – January 4th – rather convenient, don’t you think? But that’s not the point …)

It just comes with the territory, though. There’s a high likelihood that even when we have a child, he’ll miss the first word, first step, etc. It’s not because he doesn’t want to be there, it’s just because he can’t be there. Trust me, he doesn’t think ahead and scheme on how he can be out of town on special events. To the contrary, he’s usually trying to figure out how he can make it home! It’s just a part of his job; doesn’t mean he likes that part. And, it’s really no different than you or I needing to work late or on a weekend – we don’t want to do it, but we know we have to do it.

So, Road Widows, I know it stinks when they’re gone on so many special days, but remember to enjoy the times they are home. This Sunday my Valentine and I will make the most of it because who knows when that will happen again!