The end of a Day

We all have obstacles to overcome, and like most moms LACK OF TIME is the largest obstacle I face. Add Michigan’s miserable weather, two young children, and chronic health issues to the equation, and simple equine goals can seem insurmountable. I hear the same thing over and over on all the message board I read. How do you balance family, work, and riding goals without anyone suffering? I think it is near impossible without a support network.

I work full time on an off shift, and only see my husband for a few minutes at work during the week. It’s like being a single mom with conjugal visits on the weekends. Sometimes that’s good, and other times I just want to curl up into a ball and cry myself to sleep. How do other people deal with it? It’s too easy for equestrian sports to be called a “hobby” even though there are many out there devoting their lives to their horses. Do the USET members deal with the same issues as someone like me? Does John Lyons and Monty Roberts get “the look” after they have spent all weekend working with a young horse? How about the Olympic athletes? Do the families of the track stars and ice skaters complain when they cannot make it to a birthday party, or need to leave the family picnic early? Endurance is not a sport for the weak or lazy. It takes time as perseverance to make it to the top levels. That is where I hope to be someday. While my husband and I have talked about my goals, I don’t think he realizes how many weekends (every) I’ll be away. I know my parents do not understand how I can be away from my kids so much. I would love to be home with them everyday, but that is not the life I have. I cannot give up my hopes and dreams to make everyone else happy. I’ve tried it, and it does not work. THEY are never happy anyways, and I am miserable.

Can you tell it is a rainy dreary day outside? My head is full of the negative, and my goals seem nigh impossible. Well tomorrow will be a new day, and a Saturday at that. Hopefully the rain will pass, and I’ll be hitting the trails instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself.