As soon as both girls and I walked in to the Movie Theater, we
all realized right away it was cold in there. I had pants and short sleeves on,
but my girls were wearing short sleeves and shorts. I remembered right away
that I had my sweat shirt and one of my girls’ jackets in the car. I told my
twelve year-old to watch her 10 year-old sister for me and I will be right
back. She said, “Ok, I will mom”. She was too busy watching the
movie to ask where I was going. While I was walking across the
parking lot toward my car, some very strange thoughts started coming in my mind
which I had never had before. If I wanted, it would be so easy
for me to get away from my girls. I wouldn’t have to worry about
them anymore; I could be free of their responsibilities pretty easily. They
are busy for the next two hours; no one will notice me. I am leaving
my kids at the movie theater. By the time they realize I am gone, I
will be far away from them. Oh my gosh, those nasty thought were evil.
I was breathing heavily while trying to walk, but my mind was going into
millions of directions at the same time. I was having a hard time walking. For
a few seconds I totally forgot where I was. All I was seeing was my two young
girls’ faces.
I was 21 years old when I had my first daughter. I remember like
yesterday the day I found out I was pregnant. It is unexplainable how happy I
was. My whole world was changed. On the day she was born it was like I won the
whole world. When she was six months old I found out I was pregnant again with
my second daughter. Both my girls became my day and night. They completed my
world and they became my true happiness.
Two years ago I got divorced. It was one of the most
difficult times of my life. On the other hand, I was happy because I
had my beautiful girls. Both hands were still full, on my one hand I had my one
daughter and my other hand had my other daughter. I am sure I am not so
different than any other mother around the world. Every mother loves their kid
unconditionally.
After
my divorce, my daughters and I became closer as a team. They both knew their
mother is a strong person, but they are also the ones who have also seen their
mother fall to the ground many times. Kids are amazing, they can tell just by
looking at faces or from our tone of voice, “is my mother having a good day or
a bad day?” I am so proud of my daughters and also I am happy and thankful to
God that he gave me two kids so they can also have each other.
My
life has been a rollercoaster ride many times. My divorce was totally
unexpected. In last two years I have been trying to accept my divorce and move
on. And I am doing pretty well compared to before. I am positive person, but I
can only take so much. Some days though, all it can take is a time, or a place,
or even by simply thinking about the past and I feel like I am back to where I
was two years ago.
Yesterday
was one of those days. When I got up yesterday someone said something to me
over the phone about my past life. I am sure that person didn’t mean
it or didn’t even realize that their words could have affected me
negatively. As soon as I hung up the phone, it hit me right away. My
mood changed and I became depressed. I started feeling very lonely
and tired. And when I saw the girls, I saw only responsibilities. Their
weight was too heavy on my shoulders. I start thinking negatively I
don’t have a husband. Why did he leave me? I am not good
enough. I don’t have a college degree. I have two
daughters to raise and no family members around me. How will I do
everything? Will I be able to? I was so down. I
wanted to run away from the world. Perhaps it was my not having
enough self-confidence or the pain being so deep that was pushing these
thoughts into my mind. Whatever the reason, I didn’t want to feel it
and I think I saw an easy way out. But I didn’t realize no matter where I go I
take myself with me.
I
knew I was depressed. I thought if I stayed home I would get more
depressed. And that is why I chose to go and see a movie with
my girls. I don’t remember how I pulled myself back together.
Without even thinking anything, I took the jackets
from the car and headed back to the movie theater. When I sat in between them
they both looked at me and smiled at me. It kills me inside. They had no idea
what kind of thoughts came in to their mothers mind few minutes ago. I also
realized how lucky I am. I could have lost my daughters pretty easily and then
what would I do I was weak and lost. I believe I could have done it. I
truly believe it was God who has been helping me.
Later
that day when I was feeling a bit better, I was sitting in my backyard thinking
about what happened to me and I realized how lucky I am. I have house to live
in, a car to drive, money to survive, and healthy kids. Thank god I
have more then I can ask for. I started thinking about those women who have
nothing. We see them on TV or read about them in the
newspapers about what they have done to their kids. While I was having negative
thoughts about how I could get rid of my life (girls) from me, I felt so
connected to them.
When
I listened and watched them in the news about how a mother hurt her own kids, I
use to not believe. It was beyond my mind. No mother can do
that. No loving mother could or would hurt their kids. But
after having my own experience, I now completely understand how it can happen.
How mentally disturbed they can be. Some have no control at all.
I have never experienced those “unexpected thoughts” before and
I hope I never will again. But those thoughts helped me to understand other mothers better. It also helped
me to realize how much my kids mean to me. Just by thinking about those
thoughts, my world shook. I can’t imagine living with thoughts like those. I
don’t care what I don’t have. What I care is what I do have, and those are the
things that makes my life complete and makes me happy.
The terrible feeling of having divorce creep up on you is hard to bear. Somehow, the event makes people think of how it exactly happens and what they could do to prevent it, but I guess those things are not exactly the important points when it happens. What matters most is that there are beautiful people who hold on to you despite the terrible event that occured. All I know is that you will get through that, Zainab. All the best! :)
ReplyDeleteTimmy Larson
What a nice comment! Thank you so much! :-)
Delete