The Hardest Part Is Over

Yes, it's a song from a Disney movie, and a bad Disney movie at that, but it is the first movie we ever took Michael to see and I cannot hear it without crying and thinking how hard everything has been for the past year and maybe, just maybe, the hardest part is over. 

That's what the new house is for me, a new beginning.  Starting over.  Hope.

I mean come on.  Lupus.  Rehumatoid Arthirtis.  Michael broke his freakin' hand and that claim has still not been settled.  Three house sales and two lost houses. 

The hardest part is over.  I just know it is.

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and I don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we'll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

-Rob Thomas

Today after camp I took Michael for ice cream.  Not for any special reason, but because he has been having a rough time of it lately, and I thought some positive attention might do him some good.  His behavior has gotten better at camp and I wanted to reward that.  We didn't talk about moving, or time outs, or his bad behavior.  We just ate ice cream and talked about his day.

We were sitting in silence eating, him picking his gummy bears out with his hands when he said, "Mommy, I have a secret."  And he climbed off of his chair and walked over to me and he whispered "I love you and I like you." 

That is the best secret anyone has ever told me.

  

and I don't mind if it's me you need to turn to
we'll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

Comments

[Jennifer]

Now love is pretty much guanteed, but like... now that is something special.

[sarah]

that's sweet. That song always reminds me of when my little boy was a colicky infant and I was up with him for hours and hours in the middle of the night. Still can't listen to it without crying.

[CT Mom]

I teared up. Really. And I love this song, have it on my iPod and love to listen to it while watching my girls do whatever they are doing at the moment.

You're a good mom.

[lumpyheadsmom]

Wow. Perspective over ice cream. What a gift.

[MarathonMom]

....glad it's looking up for you !!

[Miss Grace]

Smoosh and hugs.

[Darcey]

Hey, like I said, I'm going through moving hell right there with you -- it'll all be over soon, and when you can sit on your back deck and watch Michael play in the backyard that you worked so hard to get him, you will take in a deep breath of satisfaction, peace and reflection on the last few months.

And then have another glass of wine. ;)

[Diane]

It may be cheesy, but I have amazing memories of listening to that song on the radio and dancing around the room with my firstborn when she was just a little baby. Thanks for getting it in my head, because it always puts a smile on my face.

I hope you have nothing but good times ahead. You definitely deserve it.

[Sandy]

Great song, great post. What I love about your blog is that it is inspirational without being dramatic or self-pitying. I had no idea that you had been through so much. Thank you for taking time to write about your life in the midst of all that. I don't know how you do it!

[Sandy]

Great song, great post. What I love about your blog is that it is inspirational without being dramatic or self-pitying. I had no idea that you had been through so much. Thank you for taking time to write about your life in the midst of all that. I don't know how you do it!

[FishyGirl]

That is one of the lesser-known, but yet my FAVORITE, disney movies. The hardest part IS over.

[Janna]

Whenever I see the end of this movie with this song I bawl- so the combination of this post with this song makes this Mom teary eyed. Wonderful post.

[Snaphappy (Leslie)]

AWWWW! So sweet!

And, btw, how yummy is YogiCastle?????

[Mrs. Wilson]

I also hope, for your sake, that the hardest part is over - and that your move into your new place is smooth and BLESSED!!

[kari weber]

I actually LIKED that movie! And that song is a GREAT song! Did you know that it only took him about 7 minutes to write it? He talks about it in the bonus features on the DVD. We NETFLIXed it for our son. I think that the message of that movie is also something that you do in your life: Keep Moving Forward. You do an amazing job, Jodi, of moving forward even when life makes you feel a little like you can't breath. Thank you for sharing a part of you with us.

[Stacy]

I absolutely LOVE that song. So proud of you for taking the time to enjoy those small hours with him. Clearly it made a difference in him too. :)

[Wife and Mommy]

What an awesome secret to be told.

[ioio]

jodi you have one beautiful family. for that you should be happy, indeed. michael is just a dreamboat. and you are such a beautiful lady. how fun to go on an ice cream date with your son.

[Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama]

What a great post given everything that has happened recently. The hardest part has got to be over and I'm raising a glass with you to moving on and celebrating at your housewarming.

BTW- Had a great time seeing you this weekend...Only wished it was longer!

[Rock and Roll Mama]

What a beautiful, beautiful post. It can be so hard to remember all that our little people are navigating, and how, as much as they may try to throw us overboard, they know at core that we're their anchors. What a sweet little man.

I hope and wish that the hardest part is over, my friend.:)

[Angel]

What a sweet, sweet secret that was! I'm so glad things are on the way up for you ! You deserve the peace of mind so much.

[Christina]

Awww, those are the best secrets to hear.

It's time for you to have some peace and quiet. I mean, blog fodder is great and all, but eventually you start to see the Chinese saying, "May you live in interesting times" as a curse.

Loved finally meeting you in person at BlogHer and I wish we could have talked longer! There's always next year, right?

[Grandmere]

When you come down to it, the love is what really matters. He is a sweetheart.

[ravenlynne]

That is an AWESOME secret! Count your blessings...

[aimee]

Out of the blue whispered I love yous are the absolute best part of parenthood!!

[Rachel]

That is the best secret you can be told -by anyone!

[mom]

Great post, great song, great daughter, great mom, great grandson. Give Michael and extra-special hug from me. Love, Mom/Nanny

[Half Assed Kitchen]

Nice parenting there, missy. And nice to meet you at BlogHer too.

[Kristen]

Yay!!! He likes you too! My kids just love me. Like? Not so much. LOL. Hang in there, girl. You made me laugh on Friday. Thanks for that.

[Mel]

That is seriously the best secret I've ever heard. What a post to jump into your blog with feet first :-) I am so glad we met at BlogHer and now I want to actually get together now that we're back in town and figure out how we know each other. I have a few more ideas.

[emma]

OK, I may be PMSing or something but I just burst into TEARS reading this post! Crimeny! YES, things will get better. I too have had a doozey of a year, and mine is getting better, so trust that yours is too.

And I've gotta admit I love Rob Thomas. I just heard an awesome interview with him on NPR, regarding his newest album. The man is deep. And he knows how to write. As do you.

[emma]

Oh, and one more thing... your son is the most adorable little guy ever. Just remember this when he's asking for the keys to the car to make a beer run in a few years. :)

[Laurie]

He's so cute, Jodi! I can't wait to meet him. I need all my DC women to get together with their kids and invite me so I can see them all at once. ;)

Also I love Rob Thomas, can't lie. :)

[Amy]

What a sweet secret!