Never forget your worth

I had this email forwarded to me by my mother. I thought it was really great. Very fitting. We as STEPMOMs especially can get caught up in steplife and start to feel un-needed and inconsequential... Never for one single moment forget that you are someone special and how very much YOU are worth. The world wouldn't be the same without all the special women out there willing to take on this crazy life we call stepmotherhood.

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

What is best vs. what is easiest

It's hard being a stepmom. Don't ever think it is or should be otherwise. But, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Life is complicated, so why should step-life be any different?

It would be much easier to not care.. but as a custodial, stay at home stepmom it's really not a good option. For some families it would work fine if the stepmom detached, but not in ours. It simply wouldn't work. I came into this knowing my role would be mom... but it's way more complicated than I could have ever possibly imagined. It's way more heartache, way more time, way more energy than I could have ever imagined... but it's also more rewarding right there along with frustrating. Some days I would MUCH rather say "F*ck this" and walk away.. those are the days I know I need a biiiiig glass of wine.. lol. Ah, we all have bad days. Hell, I have bad days with my biological children, so why would steps be any different? I guess it's just a little different, though. I love my stepson unconditionally and like my own child, but there is that little difference that I sometimes refuse to acknowledge b/c it is painful and hard. It's reality, though. There have been those shameful moments where I've wanted to take the other two kids and run screaming away from my hubby, stepkids, and their biological mother and then I think about how awful it would be to live without Hubby and Alan. They bring so much to my life. I love them with everything that is in me. We really do have a great family and are in a great situation. We have the best possible situation for all of us here as a family.. all of us here together. No matter how hard it is, it's worth it and it works. It works if you work it... it's worth it. Hey, isn't that something AA says?