By Staff
In my younger days, I lived life day by day in any way that suited me. After I married, some of my activities slowed down, but still I felt free to live in whatever manner I chose.
When I became a mother, I realized there was something more important than having fun and living the high life.
I explained to a friend of mine that a child in your life will cause changes you can't even imagine. The funny part is, you will be excited about the changes.
Before I became a mother, I didn't give much thought to how much money I spent on frivolous things. If I wanted it and had the cash for it, I usually gave in and bought it. If we wanted to go out for dinner, we did. Again, without much thought. If we wanted to get away for the weekend, we'd make the decision on Friday afternoon and be gone from home before nightfall. Again, without much thought.
When I became a mother, all of those thought processes changed, and I barely noticed. Buying a blouse or a pair of shoes simply because they were on sale, stopped. As a matter of fact, I think I stopped going to the ladies department for many months after my son was born. When I did go shopping, I made a straight line walk to the children's department topped off with a stop in the toy department. My whole shopping strategy changed.
As far as going out to dinner, that pretty much stopped after Landon was born as well. Although an occasional dinner from the drive-through still occurred, it was because we wanted to be with our son more than we wanted to go out for a meal.
We never go out of town for the weekend anymore, unless the plans include my son. Oddly enough, we don't miss any of the things we used to do before we became parents.
Priorities change over a period of time and when conditions in our lives change, we change with them.
My priorities are no longer shopping, dining out, traveling or getting away. Now my priorities are clothes for boys, toys for boys and whether or not the zoo is open. I no longer dream about a nice pair of fashionable shoes or the latest style of blouses in my size. My thoughts turn more to what my son might enjoy.
My son will be nine years old in just a little more than a week. In those nine years I've relearned the joy of discovery in my own back yard. I've learned the joy of flying a $2 kite in the open field next to our home. I've learned the pleasure of reading funny, silly poems in the big chair in the living room. I've learned the love of a child is worth more than anything in this world.
When you see the eyes of your child look into yours as he expresses his love to you, nothing else matters. Hugs and kisses before the last good night will make all of the troubles of your day melt away.
Yes, a child will certainly change your life. It will change your pocketbook, your mind and your heart. Expect it. Revel in it. Cherish it.
Lisa Tindell is news editor for The Brewton Standard. She can be reached by email at lisa.tindell@brewtonstandard.com.