July 15, 2013 11:37 am Meet Dawn! Our Tenth Mom of the Week!
What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?
Our sons Sean and Quinn are 19 and 14. As they have grown, what we do together has evolved. It is an amazing journey watching the transformation from toddlers to teens. One thing that has not changed is the time we always find to have amazing conversations. They are never planned and can happen at any time. Sometimes it’s a lazy morning and one of the boys will come in to snuggle, yes even at 19 that still happens, or it can be driving back from the grocery store and we hit on a topic that will send us the long way home just to keep the conversation going. These are moments I treasure, these little glimpses into who these amazing individuals are, and what’s going on in their heads. Boys tend not to wear their emotions on their sleeves; it’s usually just the facts ma’am, so whenever these gems of time appear we make the most of them before life knocks and they are off again. My greatest wish for my boys is serenity. One never knows where the journey of life will take you. We have tried to prepare our boys to have choices in life; to be well rounded enough to thrive in many situations. It doesn’t matter what they choose to do, as long as they find peace and satisfaction within.
When and where are you the happiest?
I am happiest whenever I am with my boys. It doesn’t matter what we are doing. One is serious and intellectual and the other is pretty goofy. They get along like best friends and play off each other so well that we always have a great time.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
When I was little I believed Africa was the end of the world. I’m not sure now what that meant, but I still would love to pack up my cameras and go on safari.
What quality do you most admire in a mother? And what woman has had the biggest impression on you?
I asked the boys what quality they admire most in a mother and they told me understanding. I smiled knowing that my answer is patience. With patience all things are possible, including understanding, but it doesn’t work the other way around. As my boys are older I am now beginning to really appreciate the value of those days when patience was difficult, but necessary. It only takes moments to clean up a mess, but so much longer to mend a broken spirit. Having patience allows the boys to grow in a nurturing and supportive environment. On those days when patience is wearing thin, I am reminded that this too shall pass… like around age seven when they seemed to get hit with the “dumb stick” and seemingly forgot that the refrigerator needs to be closed, or it was still necessary to use toothpaste, little things like that. In the long run, being patient has laid the foundation for understanding and trust, qualities which I am beginning to see replicated as the boys become young men. I grew up an only child, so my mother was my best friend and confidant. She was always there for me, and today as she resides in a nursing home, I am there for her and she still is my best friend.
What is your favorite book? Movie?
My favorite book has to be The Velveteen Rabbit. I still have my two little threadbare stuffed rabbits from when I was born. They have traveled the world with me, survived college and lived in several different states. They were certainly real to me when I was young and I will still take them out from time to time and say hello. Now for something completely different, my favorite movie is The Godfather.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
A personal achievement that I am most proud of is still in the works, but that would be raising our boys. Sean is beginning his journey as a young adult and so far is handling it with confidence and grace. He has said he feels well prepared for what lies ahead and is happy when he returns home. What more could a mother ask for?
What do you feel is your strongest talent?
A talent? Hmm, this is difficult, as it always conjures up those painful memories of performing arts talent shows from elementary school, when kids who couldn’t do something on stage could not participate. I asked the boys for help with this and found their answer intriguing, so I’m sticking with it. They said I have a talent for taking a problem, breaking it down and organizing it into small manageable pieces, thus taking away the stress of it. Always having thought this way I never saw it any other way, but I guess it could be a talent.
What do you like to do for fun?
Aside from hanging out with the boys, I enjoy photography. I have an eye for detail and love to photograph every day beauty, things that so many people pass by and are too busy to notice. When I am out and shooting that’s all there is, my mind can’t focus on anything else but that creative process. I love capturing the silent times when the boys are lost in thought and don’t even notice me, the dew on the morning grass, or patterns in the sand. I also love reading aloud to groups of children. I taught elementary school for several years and reading aloud was always my favorite part of the day. I like to change voices for characters and change the pace depending on the tempo of the story. There is nothing like looking into a group of young children sitting perfectly still with all eyes forward hanging on each word just waiting to see what comes next. It’s never too early to develop a love of literature and making it fun never hurts.
What is your favorite time of the day and why?
Morning I am most productive and feel energized – no coffee for me. Evening after everything is completed; hopefully, I enjoy a quiet peacefulness and a good book.
Where is your favorite place to Party with Moms and what do you like to drink?
I love to Party with Moms on Block Island! We have a house there and I love to have my MoB (Moms of Boys) friends out. It’s so close, yet so far away. Whenever we get together we proudly sport our Party with Moms shirts. Having lived in the southwest, I’ll never turn down a good margarita.