Mom Up

We've all heard the phrase "man up".  It generally means to push through the difficult situation.  Yesterday, as I was waiting for radiation and writing in my journal I thought up the phrase "Mom Up" and tried to define what that means.  Here's what I've got to share.

"Mom Up" means as a mother you take on full responsibility for your child or children.  Responsibility is everything from changing their diapers, signing their report cards, to sending them off to college.  There are many circumstances through your child or children's lives that you will feel weak, defeated, infuriated, or judged.  What you have to do at those times is known as "Mom Up".  The world is a cold, harsh, and calculating and it throws moms off their game.  It is sometimes easy to be consumed about a unexpected bill, car repair, or illness but as a mom you have to take on all those things and so much more and "Mom Up".

This season of my life I'm facing cancer, bills up the wazoo, and the inability to make it all work.  I've seriously never felt so inept as a mom. I was once that mom that nothing got her down....what didn't work made her stronger, and the love of the Lord and her kids kept her going.

I felt over the weekend my own failure to "Mom Up" after going through our finances, making a budget, and seeing a stack of bills that needed a mama to call, write, and pursue.  But that mama has been out of it, sleeping lots, taking meds that phase her out, and relying on her family more than ever.  Well, yesterday, as I sat waiting for radiation and an infusion following I thought, "Geez, Sherry, take control, stop whining, stop the bleeding heart crap and just get it going....Mom Up already!".  Yeah, it could be the radiation & chemo talking but in reality it is my mom heart that is pounding.

Today, this is what I did. I swept the floors in the kitchen and made a big old pitcher of sweet tea for the kids.  Next, I gathered a handful of bills & headed to my laptop with a large glass of ice water for my throat & mouth that has blisters.  And, I started to make a handful of calls that weren't fun...but I did them.  I then wrote two letters to creditors explaining my situation and asking for their help in providing a equitable payment plan.  I took a deep breath and asked the kids to take the letters to the mailbox.  Now, I'm taking a deep breath and thanking God for the ability to "Mom Up" today and take care of things.  Here's my simple prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father: thank you for the ability to rest in this morning and get up and get dressed.  Thank you for giving me kitchen floors that needed to be swept and for allowing me the ability to do it.  I praise you for being with me to choose words that are appropriate and with valor for all that I spoke.  I thank you for allowing me to think clearly for the hour that it took to write two letters to creditors and believe that you will help me to get a solution to them.  I seek you in all that I am and could ever be because you made me to be smart, articulate, creative, and a Mom.  Thank you Heavenly Father for allowing me the blessing to "Mom Up" today and take care of the precious people that you blessed me with.  Amen.

May you find the strength, dignity, and self control that you need to get you through this week and what the world sends your way.  May God give you the strength to "Mom Up", "Parent Up", or "Self Up" for all your needs this week.  I know that you can through Christ that strengthens and protects each of us.

Peace Be With You- Sherry

Updates:

• I currently need a $100 each week for the chemo infusions that will last through August.  If you would like to donate or help with that please let me know.  I'm having to "Mom Up" and realize that I will need financial help to get through this and ensure that our family's needs are met.
• I've got blisters on my stomach and in my mouth from the radiation and infusions which are driving me bonkers. I was in KC yesterday and literally felt like crying from the heat because it made my skin so itchy and my body so tired.  I was blessed to have Em & Dale with me to cause me to "Mom Up" and keep it together.  Emily took the car keys downtown and told me to get in the jeep and rest that she had it.  Thanking God for the gift of my kiddos and Em's ability to drive.
• It is my "Mom Up" goal to take Dale to take his driving permit test on Friday.  I'm hoping he can pass and that I'll be able to take & teach him to drive into & home from KC this summer.  
• On Tuesday Emily took a basket of creative loot and monsters that we made into Gilda's Club so the kids that she works with could make "worry eaters" from them.  It blessed my heart to see Emily working with the kids and that they were so enthused by making the monsters.  
• Finally, we'll need to borrow a car on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week to make to KC.  If you are willing to loan us your car for the day let us know.  Those are the days for radiation and infusions next week.