mamamilkandme

I am heading to my high school reunion this weekend. It has been thirty years. It is amazing how fast it has come. It is equally amazing to see how much has occurred in my life in this thirty years. This is me then.

I went to school for four years in Greensboro.

Then with some kind of bravery or foolishness or both I moved to New York City. I was going to try it for a year. I got hooked. I almost left after a drab summer and dark winter but I fell in love with my neighbor a week before boarding a plane to Los Angeles. I think I am more of an East Coaster anyway.

Besides, that neighbor is my husband of twenty years

and the father of our three amazing children.

It has been both wonderful and humbling to share parenting with him. We have a good life. We live in tight quarters in Manhattan but we like it this way.

In my years in New York I have performed in theatres, in stand-up comedy venues. I have worked in law firms and department stores. I have worked as a location scout.  I have been a personal assistant to a wealthy woman.

When I became a mother I decided to become a La Leche League Leader, a volunteer breastfeeding support counselor. Then I went pro!

I now have a thriving Private Practice as a Lactation Consultant. That I get to empower mothers to use their bodies to nourish and grow their babies is inspiring everyday. And, from time to time I talk to the media about breastfeeding.

Going home to Fayetteville has become bittersweet. Mama died from lung cancer in 2004. I miss her but I also have her inside of me. She impacts most everything in my life.

When I do go home I get to be with my dad,

my sister and brother-in-law and my wonderful niece and three nephews.

And, I still have some solid friends at home. These friends are always there for me. Sometimes we go months or even years without talking but I know they are there.

I am excited to go to this reunion to see some old friends that maybe I have lost touch with. It will be a quick visit but it will be good to go and let my voice slow down a bit and let a drawl slide in. It will be good to sip some sweet tea.

See y’all in Fayetteville!