Claire the Afena Mom Blog

I recently made a quick trip to the grocery store before I headed into work. I only needed one item, knew exactly where it was, and I knew I had a coupon for it.

It’s a bittersweet day, sending your kids off to their first day of school. It’s a new year, a new grade, new teachers and new adventures. You’ve packed that new backpack that solely determined their status within the culture of an elementary classroom, with every single supply item on their list and then some.

Have you noticed that every year, whatever holiday is next on the calendar, stores have begun advertising for it earlier and earlier? I swear this year the day after Christmas I walked through the store and was visually accosted by pink and red, heart shaped, fuzzy, Valentine’s Day propaganda.

Ah summer, the season of endless ball games, trips to the pool, family cookouts and… planning the family vacation.

One of my childhood friends just recently became engaged and within days was already finding herself in planning mode.

Junk credit card offers, finger paintings, medical bills, mother’s day cards, school lunch menu, spreadsheets, utility bills….Oh, hi! Don’t mind me, I’m just sorting through a pile of papers and mail that accumulates on our kitchen table.

One of my dearest friends just bought a house down the road from us about 6 months ago. I was so excited to have her close because sometimes, mama needs a break!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. A day that we celebrate those wonderful women who brought us into this world, threatened more than once to take us out of it, supported us even when they thought we were crazy, but above all, regardless of the situation, they always love us.