All that hard work is paying off yet again................................

Several years ago I was working one full time job and three part time jobs. Yup, all in the same time frame. Why? Lots of circumstances, but the big answer was to take care of my children.

Flash forward to the current week. My youngest started her nurse aide job with the hospice company this week. She still has her night job at the pizza place, so has been going to work with the sun and completing her day long after it sets. She received a call from the school she got her CENA degree from and they wanted to know if she wanted to pick up a shift at a nursing home on Sunday. I am thinking there is no way she will want to do that. I am sure she doesn't really want to, but what she said is, " I have a kid that I am responsible for now. She needs to be declawed and the sooner I can make the money to do that the better. Of course I am going to do it."

One more example of how our children learn much more from our example than they do from what we attempt to teach them. Along those lines...

Sheri, when you get upset/outraged/vocal at people's ignorance you are teaching your children to be compassionate towards people that are different than they are.

T-girl, when you face life's difficulties with your sense of humor Little J is learning to roll with whatever life might throw her way. Okay, so sometimes us being fellow smart a$$s will come back to bite us as our children will pick that up in the process as well, but for the most part humor can be of aid in most all situations.

Random, when you look into Daisy's sad eyes begging to go for a walk and you drag your butt off the sofa to comply you are teaching her about love and sacrifice.

One4JC, When you make hard decisions in the best interest of your school children you are teaching them dedication to doing their best work as well as about personal sacrifice. Sometimes one ends up not being liked when they do the right thing, but one should always do the right thing anyway.

Jenna, The way you put your children's best interest W-A-Y in front of your own teaches them tons about guts, grit, and determination to honor commitments.

Maynard, keep turning that other cheek in regards to the ex. The strength and stability your daughters are learning from you will serve them extremely well in the future.

Dee, Even when you and Ricky needed to alter your living arrangements your continued love and dedication to his well being teaches him about trust and security.

O.R.A., we both know the (most) powerful lesson you taught your daughter...ALWAYS match your bra and panties! As terrific as she turned out I know she learned many things from you in addition to the afore mentioned, but that one is my favorite. I always felt guilty when she had a potty accident during day care and I had to put non-matching ones on her. Somehow we all three managed to survive the trauma of those days!

Therapist, the kindness and understanding you show your child patients is possibly their first exposure to that kind of treatment. That you get what an honor and a privilege it is to be able to make a difference in these kids lives is huge! Really HUGE!

To all of my blog friends that have yet to become parents I am sure that there are many people your actions touch in positive ways on a daily basis.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for doing your part in making our world a better place in which to exist. Know that even when you don't notice, you are making a great contribution, and a very important difference.