There are many lessons to learn from our own mothers and from other mothers, too. Most importantly, we discover the kind of mother we’d like to be if we were blessed to have children of our own. In my 54 years on this planet, I’ve seen a variety of parenting styles, and even, sadly, lack of parenting. It only makes me appreciate the incredible sacrifices made by my mother, and the lessons I learned from being a mother.

I’m blown away by working women who raise two, three, even more children without a staff and without losing their patience. Certainly, there are times that we all lose our composure. When my son was just a baby and we were on a plane trip, he was cranky and it’s no wonder. It’s not natural for babies to be in confined areas, have their ears pop from the air pressure change and want to be in their comfy cribs rather than surrounded by strangers. My child had to be changed so I created a make-shift diaper station on the floor in the aisle of the 757 jet. During that, um, procedure, my infant decided that was the time to urinate. Let’s just say the people nearby weren’t all that elated. We all try to do the best we can. There’s no foolproof handbook for mothers. Ask four moms how to potty train and you’ll most likely get four different answers.

Many mothers desperately try to shield their children from disappointments and injustices, from hurt feelings and scraped knees. When Rocco was seven years old, I enrolled him in the YMCA swimming program. In my youth, I had been a state champion swimmer and wanted to make sure I passed down that trait. I gave my son a few extra tips and put him in the hands of a competent and successful coach. After a few months of practice, we entered Rocco in a Novice swim meet. It was an opportunity for children who had never swam competitively to learn about the rules and procedures of a swim meet. It was exciting for me as a mother, to watch my son go through the anticipation and excitement leading up to the race. When the kids were called to get on their starting blocks, my stomach did a flip-turn and my heart thumped thunderously in my chest, as if I was the one to swim for the first time. An official called the children to attention with a loud and deafening command that I had heard many times before, “Swimmers, take your mark…” and then came the powerful sound of the starter gun blasting.

The stands were filled with anxious parents and grandparents hoping their kids would be the one to come home with a first place trophy, but there could only be one. Rocco’s reflexes were quick and he attacked the water with the skill and command of an older, more experienced athlete. The joy and elation I felt watching my son follow in my footsteps – or strokes – was both exhilarating and tense.

Was he swimming too fast to keep that pace for two laps?

So many things raced through my mind…

Maybe he should have had eggs instead of cereal for breakfast.

Wow! He could actually win!

Rocco’s drive and determination during his months of practice paid off, big time! Before a couple of kids even made it to the end of the first lap, Rocco finished the second lap and won! To see the smile and joy on his face was priceless. It was an achievement that could give him the confidence to continue swimming, and set him up to succeed in other areas of his life.

The elation, however, was short-lived.

After the race was over, Rocco’s coach and other swimmers congratulated him on his first place win, but when we went to pick up his trophy, we were severely disappointed. Although there was no denying that Rocco finished first, he was not given the first place trophy or any trophy. The reason we were given was quite unfair and unjust.

“Rocco swam too fast and it wasn’t fair to the other children,” said the official in charge.

Instead of coming home with a trophy and the confidence that his hard work paid off, Rocco was given a stack of comic books. Seriously.

Part of me wanted to scream and yell about the injustice of it all (ok, truthfully, I did a little). Here was a child who followed the rules, he had never swam competitively, but just happened to be better than the others. Apparently being too good was unfair to the kid who came in last.

Life isn’t fair…

…is one of the many things I learned from my mother. She taught me how to be kind and compassionate, to give to others when they are in need. I remember visiting my grandfather who had Parkinson’s disease. My mother would take off his shoes and rub his feet. She was and is always available to help a friend move or to plant flowers for someone or to be a cheerleader in the stands at my swim meets. She taught me how to be a mother, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mother and all the moms who give so freely of their time to their children and who constantly remind us of what it means to love unconditionally.

Check out Shemane’s podcast “This Rockin’ Life” available on iTunes https://shemanenugent.rocks/podcast/

10 Comments

  1. Misttina Brownfield

    Happy Mother’s Day Shemane 🙂 Thank you for the lovely message !

    Reply
  2. Jerri Ingle Malpass

    Loved the story, Shemane!! Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. You are a wonderful writer, as well as many other special talents. I can just feel that you and Ted are genuine, down to earth people. You guys shoot straight down the barrel, and that’s only one of the reasons I admire y’all so much.
    I am from Texas. I was born in Palestine. Unfortunately, raised in Houston. I don’t like city life. I much prefer the country. My Mom moved us to North Carolina when I was 14. Very tough age to leave all the friends you grew up with. Anywho, enough about me.
    Do you and Ted have any more children or just Rocco? How about Grandkids, any yet?
    Again, I so enjoyed the story and will be reading more. Hope you had a great Mother’s Day and have a great coming week.

    Reply
    • Shemane Nugent

      Thanks Jerri.
      Regarding kids…it’s complicated…Rocco is our only child. He does not have any kids.
      Ted has eight other kids. So, I have 11 step-grandkids whom I adore! Whenever we get together we play on the trampoline or make believe we are in Star Wars! It’s fun!

      Reply
  3. Mark A. blair

    Being on a YMCA swim team 45 years ago,a certified life guard, and a certified scuba diver (yes, I have gills) that story really hit home. It also made me quite livid that some cupcake would do that to Rocco. A life’s lesson that shouldn’t have been taught to a child with dreams. But being a Nugent, I’m sure it just made him stronger. I hope you had a blessed Mothers Day Shemane. One thing I should add. It amazes and saddens me living in Florida, seeing how many children here drown. TEACH YOU KIDS TO SWIM !!! The younger, the better. It saved my life as an adult once when caught in a rip current, and although I never worked as a life guard, I did save a drowning mans life when in my twenties.

    Reply
    • Shemane Nugent

      You’re right, parents need to teach their kids how to swim as early as possible.
      Thanks for the Mother’s Day wish!

      Reply
  4. Jerry Sullivan

    Great lessons in and out of the pool . You and your husband are ambassadors for the healthy life … In Spirit , Body and Mind . ….Thank you !

    Reply

Leave a Reply

I’m Shemane, I’m an ambassador for healthy living, I am an International Fitness Presenter and have been a group exercise instructor for more than 40 years.

Categories

Mold

FREE DOWNLOAD

MOLD AND OTHER TOXINS

Action Plan, Checklist & Resources

 

Enter your email address below to download the PDF from Shemane.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Get my Free Weekly Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!