Just The Two Of Us: One Tough Mama
May 16, 2010
Some hugs are better than others. During this hug, Little Man said, “Mommy, I am so proud of you!” Which made this one of the best hugs I’ve ever received.
Likewise, some accomplishments are better than others. When I started my MBA, I was married, and prior to starting the degree, Xifey made lots of promises of support, and expressed excitement about the future of our little family. Within two weeks of me starting the program, she said she wanted a divorce. Two weeks later, I walked into a situation that made it extremely clear. During my first semester, I hired a lawyer, bought a car, negotiated a custody agreement, bought a condo, and continued to work full-time and go to school part-time. At the end of my first semester, during final exams, I moved into my condo.
People said I was super human. Which is ridiculous — I was a hot mess. But I was a hot mess who was surrounded by the most incredible family and friends. They said “one foot in front of the other,” and in many cases, they did the heavy lifting (literally and figuratively).
Through all of that, I busted my ass every single day. I kept reading, writing, analyzing, collaborating, strategizing, negotiating, presenting, and most importantly, parenting.
So on graduation day yesterday, when I donned that cap and gown, crossed the stage, and accepted my degree from the Dean, I actually felt super human. Against the odds, I did this!
Thank you, Xifey, for giving me the opportunity to prove just how goddamn tough I really am.
What now? Should I tackle the New Hampshire 4000-footers?
__
- FemiKnitMafia (aka “The Mafia) is a 35-year-old lesbian mom with a deep and abiding love of sassy outdoorsy hard-femmes wearing Fluevogs. She’s also a veteran blogger, who started blogging in 2005, and built a loyal following of readers, many of whom have become close friends. She took a 2-year blogging hiatus while her divorce was being negotiated. Since the divorce still isn’t finalized, the gory details won’t appear here. In fact, her lawyer-friend Kathy might scream “NOOoooooOOOoooo…!” when she sees this blog. We promise she’ll be careful, Kathy.
We asked her to blog for Diffuse 5 because we love hearing stories from a single lesbian mom who’s still negotiating a divorce, parenting Little Man, and starting to date again.
17 Responses to Just The Two Of Us: One Tough Mama
-
Danielle says:
I’m still amazed how well you held it together that semester.
-
Manise says:
Such a wonderful photo of the two of you! May I chime in too and say I am so proud of you? You really kept it together and continue to do so with such grace. Little Man is very lucky to have you as his Mama.
-
Marisa says:
Congratulations! You actually ARE that tough – not that any of the rest of us doubted it.
-
Congratulations on the MBA, on the new blogging gig, and on your wonderful relationship with your son.
-
Katrina says:
Congratulations on the MBA and ditto all the “proud of you” comments. Sometimes out of our biggest challenges come our biggest successes. And Yes, on the 4000 footers!!!
-
Challenges can bring out the worse in us or the best in us. Thankfully we have a choice and you choose the best in yourself. Congratulations on a job well done. Go forth with the knowledge that you can [& will] continue to make good choices.
-
Name (required) says:
nice rebel hat C is wearing. used to be mine.
-
Amy W-P says:
Congratulations again on earning your MBA! You’re an inspiration to me, Mafia.
-
Strong work!!! And, what an amazing compliment from your son…I hope someday my own kidlet will have a reason to be as proud of me
-
Yes, you’re superhuman tough and strong, and all in a day’s work of being the best mama you can be
You should feel very very proud – and no one can take that away from you! -
Kris Jackson says:
WOW… so “just the two of you” huh ???amazing…i’m pretty sure “Xifey” and the best thing that ever happened to her are a huge part of the “little man’s” life… and without THEM – well… we know how great his life is because of THEM so without them i’m thinking you wouldnt have gotten to do half of what you have done. so maybe you should thank them for being super great too cause i’m pretty sure if you didnt have the amazing help you had ..you wouldnt have been able to do it with “just the two of us”
-
Mary says:
Don’t you just hate it when you’re successful and everyone else wants to jump on the ‘credit’ bandwagon? You are fabulous and have worked hard to get where you are, in spite of the ‘bumps.’ Rock on my dear, you will do great things.
-
BRAVO! I said it before when I first found your blog and I will continue to say it, You are simply amazing!
You deserve to be really proud of yourself! Thanks for sharing.