Samantha, this is a beautifully written, brave and honest piece, and I thank you for sharing it. You've come a long way, as your children have too. Feel the proud, own the proud, let go of any guilt. Trust me, I raised a daughter completely alone, she'll be 35 in June. We all do the best we can.
Im so proud of you sam! I remember reading something on your kitchen wall about needing or wanting a hero so you became your own. Staying in your AirBnB, being a CSA member, watching the to do list grow and then disappear with your hard efforts, you’ve been such an inspiration for myself to not give up when it seems so damn hard, to stay focused on nature and not take a single moment granted. I regret that we do not come by as much, but our weekly visits will always be remembered by my daughter. She still asks when can we get Sam bread again (no pressure lol). And Braetek, what a gentleman he has become and a really great farmer at that. You’ve planted really strong seeds Sam, all around you. Your hard work benefits so many plants, animals and people near and far. 🥰
Thank you so much, Lindsay!! You and Saffron will always be super special to me. I love watching your own endeavors growing, knowing we got each other and more badass women just like us, out there watching our backs. Stay strong, my friend!!!
Wow, Sam, your story resonates on so many levels, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges intertwined with the pursuit of one's dreams and the responsibilities of parenthood. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
This was beautiful reading for me. Raw and honest and so relatable for any parent who wonders if their child enjoyed their upbringing.
I relate so much but in a different way. I, too, was a single mom for my son's entire life. When I worked full-time I felt guilt that he had to spend half his life in daycare. But what else does a working mom do?
And when I finally left corporate and became a travel writer I felt immense guilt for being away several times a year...EVEN THOUGH he acted like my biggest cheerleader and got to join me on some trips.
Now that he's gone (he passed away at age 28) I STILL look back on our lives and wonder if I was a good mother or if I should have sacrificed all the travel to stay here and be his mom. It's a weird line to walk, parenting while pursuing dreams. We'll never know the "right" way. But I suspect when your son is a man with his own life he will be able to look back at all the responsibilities he has learned from YOU and the farm. Real dirty work teaches kids life skills that they may not realize they were learning along the way.
Samantha, this is a beautifully written, brave and honest piece, and I thank you for sharing it. You've come a long way, as your children have too. Feel the proud, own the proud, let go of any guilt. Trust me, I raised a daughter completely alone, she'll be 35 in June. We all do the best we can.
Thank you, Pamela. I really appreciate your taking the time to read and comment. Much love!
My pleasure Samantha!
Im so proud of you sam! I remember reading something on your kitchen wall about needing or wanting a hero so you became your own. Staying in your AirBnB, being a CSA member, watching the to do list grow and then disappear with your hard efforts, you’ve been such an inspiration for myself to not give up when it seems so damn hard, to stay focused on nature and not take a single moment granted. I regret that we do not come by as much, but our weekly visits will always be remembered by my daughter. She still asks when can we get Sam bread again (no pressure lol). And Braetek, what a gentleman he has become and a really great farmer at that. You’ve planted really strong seeds Sam, all around you. Your hard work benefits so many plants, animals and people near and far. 🥰
Thank you so much, Lindsay!! You and Saffron will always be super special to me. I love watching your own endeavors growing, knowing we got each other and more badass women just like us, out there watching our backs. Stay strong, my friend!!!
Wow, Sam, your story resonates on so many levels, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges intertwined with the pursuit of one's dreams and the responsibilities of parenthood. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thank YOU for taking the time to read and comment! Much appreciated!
You're a tough and resourceful lady, Samantha.
This was beautiful reading for me. Raw and honest and so relatable for any parent who wonders if their child enjoyed their upbringing.
I relate so much but in a different way. I, too, was a single mom for my son's entire life. When I worked full-time I felt guilt that he had to spend half his life in daycare. But what else does a working mom do?
And when I finally left corporate and became a travel writer I felt immense guilt for being away several times a year...EVEN THOUGH he acted like my biggest cheerleader and got to join me on some trips.
Now that he's gone (he passed away at age 28) I STILL look back on our lives and wonder if I was a good mother or if I should have sacrificed all the travel to stay here and be his mom. It's a weird line to walk, parenting while pursuing dreams. We'll never know the "right" way. But I suspect when your son is a man with his own life he will be able to look back at all the responsibilities he has learned from YOU and the farm. Real dirty work teaches kids life skills that they may not realize they were learning along the way.
Thank you so much, Kristi. So sorry to hear about your son. It sounds like you two had a very meaningful relationship. Much love, my friend.