truth

My children have always known I’ve had feet of clay; 

I've never pretended to be perfect.

They were protected however 

from knowing exactly how close to the edge 

those feet of clay got 

on any given day,

or how precarious the ground was 

under my feet.

For those of you who haven’t parented solo,

there’s a lot we single moms protect our kids from knowing.

I tried to convey I was in control,

that I could handle 

whatever they - or the world -

threw at me.

I may also have given them the message 

that I’d always be there

to help them deal with 

whatever came their way as well.

Hard conversations this weekend reminded us all 

that when the ground shifts beneath your feet 

is generally beyond your control;

that some things your parent presents as truth 

is actually wishful thinking 

and

 - spoiler alert - 

 all feet, 

whether clay or flesh 

are attached to mortal beings 

and therefore 

subject to crumbling.

Conversations not for the faint of heart,

although we will deal with whatever comes next -

together

and 

alone.