tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post1096777818242752011..comments2023-10-08T03:29:16.941-05:00Comments on Aaron Polson: (Life) RevisionsAaron Polsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173267932358617304noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post-26626425121945431252012-05-15T10:08:49.864-05:002012-05-15T10:08:49.864-05:00My son sent me your blog yesterday. I spent the ev...My son sent me your blog yesterday. I spent the evening reading it. Thank God for men like you who can put thoughts in writing. I am so sorry about the loss of your wife. I lost my husband to suicide. He walked in our back windbreak and shot himself in the chest with his own deer rifle. Devastating. I have on my fireplace mantle "Just Breathe". It happened in 2008. Forever was a blur and I was numb and just now feel like I am feeling again. There are so many things and decisions that I don't even remember doing but I did for my children. Just as you are. My children are grown, married and I have grandchildren. Don't know how you have done it with little ones. Thank you for sharing and being so brave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post-54201261388689758242012-05-02T19:28:10.100-05:002012-05-02T19:28:10.100-05:00Like Cate said. Absolutely lovely.Like Cate said. Absolutely lovely.Cathy Olliffe-Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12729578896443750402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post-48983998076454554522012-05-02T11:55:59.567-05:002012-05-02T11:55:59.567-05:00A painful, but lovely post, Aaron.A painful, but lovely post, Aaron.Cate Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634397106201021055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post-939025319096090372012-05-02T11:52:08.501-05:002012-05-02T11:52:08.501-05:00If you need extra hands to get things done, don...If you need extra hands to get things done, don't be afraid to ask. I know neither your mother nor Aimee's parents live near you, but I bet there are plenty of local people who would be happy to help you with all those tasks that can drive even two parents to near insanity. You can even post what you need on your blog and I would bet the locals who read it will be happy to come lend a hand. Aimee had plenty of students and parents of students who admired and respected her so much and who would love to have the opportunity help out in any way, if for no other reason than to say, "She was special to me, and I'd like to pay it forward." <br /><br />You might set up a small network of a few people who you can call on for "emergency help." (Emergency being anything from car trouble to a birthday party to grocery shopping to needing help getting your lawn mowed to a teething baby...the list is endless) A network of emergency helpers is almost a necessity.<br /> <br />And remember: with young kids, even an all-together experienced parent can only do about a fourth of what they think they should be able to do. I used to estimate how much time something should take, then multiplied that time by the number of young children involved to get a realistic ballpark of how long anything would take. It's also unrealistic to think one parent can do the same thing as two parents in the same amount of time. Things like celebrations won't be quite the same as they were before simply because you don't have same adult to child ratio. To reduce the stress, you can either simplify the plan or call in reinforcements.<br /><br />It WILL get easier, but it's going to be frustrating at times -- maybe most of the time. If you can remember just this: It doesn't have to be perfect for kids. They don't want or need perfect. They really just want to know you love them. If you can manage to communicate that much, that's what counts the most.Lanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post-71015066141784723672012-05-02T09:27:03.918-05:002012-05-02T09:27:03.918-05:00Lane - I was prepared, but it was so busy... Maybe...Lane - I was prepared, but it was so busy... Maybe I did forget to breathe for a while.Aaron Polsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173267932358617304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604033530537822263.post-13376547917503833402012-05-02T08:38:41.326-05:002012-05-02T08:38:41.326-05:00The first family celebration was bound to be rough...The first family celebration was bound to be rough. Sometimes it's probably all you can do to just remember to breathe.Lanenoreply@blogger.com