If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you are lucky enough.

When something bad happens, you have three choices: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

My kids






My babies are all grown up. Sometimes I can't believe it still. Just like yesterday they were little puppies, attached to me, needing me for every step.
I am truly blessed. Often as I read other people's entries about their kids, I thought I can't do the same. Nobody is a Harvard Law student, or smartest kid in school, or fastest on track, and so on. But I am extremely proud - and extremely blessed to have them as they are, and wouldn't want it any other way. Alex is kind, loyal and has a huge heart. Stephen is sensitive, artistic and supe-funny. They both tought me a lot. May be more than I thought them - or it feels this way. We gained a lot of respect for each other. Alex helped me to shape up the person I am today - in many ways. Stephen showed me how to be gentle and loose unneccessary sarcasm. I am very thankful to them.
I had them both home last night, laughing, eating and talking. It was the sweetest feeling I could possibly wish for. I don't feel hopelessly scared for Alex anymore, and not even "he might just pull it off" - it is "he will make it". I am so proud of him. The things he said yesterday, what I won't repeat, made me cry. It's been long 6 months...for what he is thankful. He made the choices, I gave him freedom, and he is grateful. He's done a lot of thinking and matured so much. It wouldn't have happened had he stayed under my roof. We both know that, and we both proud of the decisions we made. May be he is not your "picture perfect" child, but it is much more difficult to find yourself the way he decided to go. And I am so proud of him.
I am touched by Angels. My kids are my blessings. We were looking at babies pictures last night with Stephen, after I dropped Alex off, remembering days. Stephen decided to stay up past midnight to "feel" the entering of his new phase - just as Alex decided to wait till midnight and walk to the cigarette shop to buy a pack. My boys:) I would have done exactly that. Alex reminds me of, well, me. And I have full trust in him, like never before. After all, I pulled it off!
Stephen is going to Blazer game tonight with his father, and I am going shopping with Alex. Life is good...

Running life is good too. I had an awesome gym workout Monday morning, and a fantastic run on roads at night. My hip behaved enough to let me "pretend" a track workout this morning, and I managed 3x400m. Nothing crazy, but I timed one of them - and was very pleased to see number exactly the same as the beginning of last season, when I wasn't coming off injury and sedentary life for 3 months. I am going to be alright.

So will my boys.

12 comments:

Sarah said...

Life is good! And I have a feeling it will just keep getting better. : )

Happy Birthday to your boys! You have a lot to be proud of for them...and yourself. : )

Backofpack said...

Happy Birthday to both Alex and Stephen. Seeing our kids grow up is bittersweet, and you are so right, they teach us so much. At this house, we have learned to open our hearts and our minds. Glad Alex is doing well, and I'm glad to hear the worry gone from your post.

Unknown said...

Wow, they're so big! How they grow up so fast.

Danni said...

What a nice post :-) I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Anonymous said...

i'm so happy for you!!! (((hugs)))

ps i dunno if you watch tv at all, but the show "the amazing race" just finished on sunday. ash and i have been watching it; the teams spent some time in moscow and i kept telling him that's where you were from, and then the teams ended up in portland and i told ash that's where you are now! so it was a total olga thing and we kept talking about you :)

Helen said...

Lovely post Olga. Glad to hear you are doing well. The running will come back. Take it easy (I am trying to take this advice myself!!). Lots of time to gear up for 2009...

kelly said...

Thanks for sharing your life and your thoughts with us. I am so glad that things are going well for you. I am so happy for you. This will be a nice Christmas for you all this year.

Drs. Cynthia and David said...

Hi Olga,

Thanks for visiting my blog! I've been reading yours for some time now, and sympathizing with your injury. If you look on our links to other blogs, you'll see several stories about vitamin D supplementation, which turns out to be very important for lots of health issues, including of course bone health. Try a vitamin D supplement to help your hip fracture heal. I think it could help. There's been a lot written about it and more studies coming out everyday, but see for example, http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitamina-osteo.html , talking about the need to balance D and A to avoid osteoporesis.

I'm glad to hear your happiness with how your boys are turning out. I have some talented boys too, but wonder sometimes how they are going to turn out. Being a mom can be tough but rewarding!

Cynthia

Dave said...

Good to read about your kids...we have must have been on the same wavelength as I blogged this Sunday about my little ones.:) Good Times I tell ya!

JeffO said...

You have great kids. That's no surprise - their mom has shown them how to try and keep trying. And when you can't go any further, and you have blood, sweat, and tears, you just try harder and go further.

Meghan said...

Aw this is such a nice post to read, after knowing your recent and enduring concern for your children. Hugs to you!

Meghan

Anonymous said...

This post made me smile Olga. Glad to hear that things are well in your family and running life.