I am acutely aware that the children around me are growing up, and honestly, the awareness is tinged with joy and a little sadness.

I am a mother, a sister, a friend, and a daughter. I have my own business and look successful from the outside. I seem to have it all together.  

For years, I would joke every St. Patrick’s Day that I was “everything but” Irish.

We’ve entered it. The toddler zone.  

Do you ever look at your child(ren) and wonder what is going through their mind?

Penn State’s annual IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON, broke its fundraising record this year by raising a total of $13.7 million in time for the student-run charity’s 50th anniversary. 

I used to hate it when people told me to enjoy every minute of my children’s infancy and toddlerhood. They said that time flies and before I knew it, that baby I was holding would be out in the world as an adult.  

I have to wonder if there isn’t some sort of manual for the minor holidays that is being passed around to everyone but me. Valentine’s Day is a prime example. When did that become another big gift holiday? 

We were working on being better partners to each other, and most importantly, we were working on being better to ourselves