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Topic: Great (07/06/06)
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TITLE: GIRLS NIGHT OUT | Previous Challenge Entry
By Patricia Williams
07/06/06 -
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I knew it was a big decision for a ninth-grade drop-out mother of seven to make. Going back to school at thirty-two could prove to be a challenge. The death of our two year old Laura, three years earlier, had birthed a burning desire in my heart to become a doctor.
It had been a long haul, four years of pre-med, four years of medical school and a one year
internship. Everyone would take their books out at night from kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, and first year nursing student and studying began. It was a time where we learned to work together and help each other reach for their dreams.
Our winter had passed and spring was full of promise and hope. The clinic was open and
my dream of becoming a doctor was birthed into reality. The girls were a part of the inward working while the boys preferred the outside duties
No matter how much you love what you do there comes a time to do something just for fun.
When the new Taekwondo Center opened we enrolled and decided to make it our girls night out. It took a lot of planning to squeeze out two nights a week but it would be great for us physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We soon learned there were two cardinal sins that would not be accepted, being late and having an unkept uniform. The clinic hours ran beyond the scheduled time, causing us do be late numerous times. The penalty for such an infraction meant fifty extra push-ups in front of everyone. This event did not make the girls too happy. The sad thing about it, their being late was my fault. It's hard to juggle a doctor's world and family responsibilities, much less anything extra.
After several weeks we were averaging 100 extra push-ups a week and I had increased a whole bust size. The girls weren't interested in increasing their bust sizes they just wanted to avoid the extra push-ups..
The girls came up with what they felt was a fool proof plan. "Mom we are going to walk on to class and we will meet you there. If you hurry you can still make it on time." I sure didn't blame them and waved as they left.
I rushed to finish my duties for the day. I quickly put on my taekwondo outfit and dashed out into the dark. Unlocking the car I quickly sat down and prepared to head for class. Ooo, a wet, warm, oozy sensation alerted me that I had sat on something very messy. The dome light was out so I carefully scooted out of the seat to view the situation. I found a bowl of beans with a note from the girls, "Mom, here's dinner."
I backed my way into class with 30 seconds to spare. I wasn't late! Eight minutes into class
the instructor walked behind the last row and discovered my predicament. As promised he rewarded my efforts by requiring I give him fifty push-ups.
We learned a lot of things together. We all excelled at different rates. Jolynn was the most accomplished and excitedly competed in multiple competitions that won her honors. In it's own unique way it helped the children understand that even grown-ups have to obey the rules or pay the consequences for not. Therefore, I wasn't the enemy, I was one of them, I had to obey and follow the rules too.
We would all be talking at once as we left class and headed for our weekly treat at the local café. My greatest reward for my efforts was the open door for communication. We found ourselves sharing our heart felt secrets. We cried and shared our heart aches. We laughed and dreamed our dreams together. Looking deep into their eyes I knew I was being given a gift of memories that I would cherish forever.
The girls are all grown-up now and live where their dreams have taken them. It's a new day when we all get together. Life is still busy. I still here, "Mom, let's go to the local café where we can share our hearts." The past still brings a chuckle over my increased bust size and the bean episode. The grandchildren have caught on to the café chats and share in planting new memories that will be cherished forever..
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