I like watching documentaries, and I like finding things to see for free. Sometimes the documentaries are not necessarily the most uplifting, but it’s those documentaries that can be grounding.
I know that my mom and I didn’t always have the best relationship. In fact, I stopped talking to her for about 8 months after my split from my ex-husband. I felt like she just couldn’t understand me and what I was going through, since I had been the person to leave the marriage, and not the other way around. I should explain – I grew up in a single parent household after I was about 8, and we lived with my mom. Our dad was still in our lives, but she had us most of the time. At the time that it was just us four and the dog, she had been out of the workforce for about 12 years, and only had a high school education.
(Note, my use of the term “only” is non-judgmental, I am using it in comparison to my father’s bachelors and masters. I do not look down on anyone who didn’t go to college. In fact, sometimes, I think those people are much smarter than me, as they don’t have the student loans I still have all these years after I am out of school. My current salary may (or may not) be higher, but so much of it goes out the window every month for payments, that I definitely don’t live like someone probably would who made my salary without debts.)
The two documentaries I ran across were produced by HBO, but you can see them for free on YouTube.
HBO Documentaries: Paycheck to Paycheck
HBO Documentaries: American Winter
The reason I bring up my mom is because of a line in the Paycheck to Paycheck movie. She mentions things that you do if you’re a mom. You give up things so that your kids are taken care of. And I know my mom gave up a lot. She was in her mid-40s at the time and started cleaning houses so she could work and be home when we came home from school. And, for a while, she kept her working as a housecleaner secret from us. At the time, I thought it was because of shame, but I could be wrong. Let me just tell you, when you are in your 40s, like she was, your body can’t keep up to that kind of work for a really long time, especially if you weren’t in really good physical shape to start with. (Mind you, she wasn’t overweight but she wasn’t in shape to run marathons either. She was like most people her age.)
So anyway, instead of writing up a list today, I’m just going to leave this post at my being thankful for my mom and for having raised me the way she did. None of us ever got into drugs. We know the value of a dollar. We are self-respecting adults. She taught us to be hard workers. Actually, she (along with my grandma) taught us a lot of things. I don’t know if she will ever read this, but I’ll just say thank you, Mom, I think you “done good.” 🙂
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Chasing Simple Dreams 
Like! Finally caught up with your blog and I’m really enjoying it. Very inspiring, at least for things to think about!
Miss seeing you at the shelter though!
Aw, thank you! I know, I have missed the kitties too. I have just been extremely busy between full time work and a part time job and then freelance work/research. As of now I work 8-4 on Sundays so really Sat would be the only day I could go in…but I do want to come back again! The research job-the brunt of it, I finished the majority of it already. So, soon!
Mom’s are great !!
We are always connected to our moms, so even if she didn’t read it – she felt it. Gratitude is a powerful source of energy when we’re feeling overwhelmed by life. Smart of you to tap into it!
Thank you, Jodee. Your comment comes at a really good time – I’m feeling pretty blase about so many things right now, and I think it’s coming from being really overwhelmed and burnt out.