Category: Thinking of Mom

Chronicles of a SAHM, Thinking of Mom

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

Sonja Hollis

As often as I can, I like to watch The Wendy Williams Show.  She is so entertaining.  Okayyy? “How you doin?”  Anyway, she always talks about how she keeps her skin from looking old and cracked (my words) but she recommends that women of a certain age need to always moisturize.

I’ve never been one to use anything other than Vaseline on my face, since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.  My cleansing regimen was to splash water on my face, dry with a towel and slather Vaseline on it.  It had always worked for me. I’d never had acne, pimples, or dry skin – until now.  I’m not sure if it’s Lupus, my caffeine intake, or just my age but lately, the Vaseline has not be enough.

Fortunately, while I was on a girl’s trip last month, my bestie had brought along some of her moisturizer.  I’m always skeptical about putting anything on my face, because the few times that I used something other than water and Vaseline, my face broke out.

Anyway, I tried some of her Curel Hydrotherapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Moisturizer and now I’m sold. This is the best my skin has looked and felt in years.  When I touch my face, I can tell a difference – it’s softer.  I wish that I would’ve taken a before and after picture of my face.  I had no idea though.  I use it as directed – after a shower – and I tell you… amazing results.  Though I didn’t have itchy skin, which seems like the purpose of this moisturizer, I did have dry “seasoned” skin. LOL  It just looks and feels so much better. IMG-9202

Now I just use the Vaseline on my children’s skin.

Just wanted to share my find for the day.  If you have any tips or secrets for women over “a certain age,” please share!

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Thinking of Mom

Missing You

Sonja Hollis

January 27, 2015 is the day that my mom passed.  She had glioblastoma multiforme aka brain cancer.  Every year, around this time, I celebrate her memory by posting something on Facebook or Instagram.  It never seems to be enough though.  I write small paragraphs to try to get out my feelings and it never seems sufficient.

This year, she’s been on my mind so heavy that I thought maybe today is the day that I finally listen to one the many voice messages that she left me and that I saved. I hadn’t been able to listen in all this time.  It’s just been too hard.

As I stood in the shower tonight, I broke down because I just really needed my mom; to hear her, to feel her…to just be around her.  So, I opened up one of the files to listen to her voice.

This was the hardest thing I’ve had to do since she left me.  The message was her telling me that she was worried that she hadn’t heard from me.  She was hoping that I was okay and to please call her.

I’m calling now, mom.  Can you hear me?  I miss you too. Just give me a call when you get this message.  I love you with all my heart.

One day, I’ll be able to share these messages with my kids without falling apart.  They’ll be able to hear your voice asking how they were and how much you loved them.  I don’t want them to ever forget you. I love you. Thank you for everything you gave me and sacrificed for me. Thank you for loving me.

Sonja

 

 

Chronicles of a SAHM, Thinking of Mom

Windows

Sonja Hollis

Searching Pinterest (as totally random as that generally is), I came across pictures of beautiful window sills. The first one I came across, I stared at for a while. For some reason it reminded me of my mom. It wasn’t perfect – it was raining outside, but it just seemed so peaceful and beautiful in its simplicity and even though she’s no longer here with me – it reminded me of how full of life she was while here.

It got me to thinking. What’s inside my window? Is what’s inside -warm and inviting? Is it clean? Can I even see out or is my window so clouded and dirty that I not only can I not see out of it, will others be able to see into it? It may be time to do some maintenance. What about you?  What do your windows look like?

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Chronicles of a SAHM, Thinking of Mom

My Roots

Sonja Hollis

I’ve had my mom on my mind for days. I miss her so much. She passed in January and it’s been so hard for me just realizing that she’s not here. I was so used to being able to call her just to say hello- knowing she would be there.

My friend wrote on her Facebook page the other day about how much she misses her grandparents and her parents. She said that although she has a strong group of support from family now, it’s not the same as having her roots. It’s what I had been trying to verbalize this whole time. I don’t have my roots. No grandparents, no parents – It’s just me. There’s no parachute, no Plan B. If I fail, then I fail and it’s just me – but when I succeed… well at least I can give them thanks. Thanks for raising me to be who I am. Thanks for giving me the love and guidance I needed when you were here, and thanks for introducing me to God.

God has been my rock. He has been my shoulder to cry on in the middle of the night when my support team is asleep. He’s always awake and He always listens.

He also let me know this morning that I now have to follow the examples of my parents and grandparents. I now have to become “the roots” for my children. I have to instill in them the goodness of the Lord. I have to establish in them, a foundation in Christ. If I didn’t have God in my life right now, I know that I wouldn’t make it. Life has dealt me some pretty hard blows, but I’m still standing…But God. I give Him the glory and the praise. He is the reason I woke up this morning.

So today will be my Day 1. I am going to embrace the lessons I have been taught by my “roots” and I am going to share them with my seedlings, so that they continue to develop and grow into the Light.

good morning.