Sunshine After The Rain

Chapter

The trip took three days, spending their evenings in hotel rooms. It would have made more sense to fly, but Sophie needed time to think. She didn't, however, consider the sing-alongs and license plate games when she'd made that decision. Or the crying coming from Ella on the first day. Or the silent treatment from Justin that lasted until the second day. 

Still, they all made it in one piece, Sophie never once stopping at a gas station for the sole purpose of selling off her children, as tempting as the idea was. Although they'd made plenty of pit stops and spent took sleep breaks every night, Sophie still felt as though she'd spent a month in that car by the time her fist tapped her mother's front door. 

It was time to get back to the basics, as pained as she was to leave everyone behind. Learn how to stand on her own two feet with only a little help. Learn how to smile again without a certain someone bringing out the joy in her. Learn how to be a true single parent. 

Sophie remembered growing up how much she idolized all her friends with two parents, often resenting her own mother for always working on never seeming to have time for her, or the money to give her all the fancy gifts her friend Kristin received. Now she could look back and see all her mother did for her and all the lessons she bestowed upon her without realizing it.

She learned to do things for herself; not lost in an overwhelming world when it was time to move away. 

She learned independence, acceptance of all things out of her control, and forgiveness for the man who chose not to remain in their lives. Though he left them early on, they stood strong and persevered through all life's trials. 

She learned not to complain about the luxuries she went without, but to appreciate what they did have and know that everything they owned was earned.

Now a full-blown single mother without rich grandparents there to lavish her children with gifts, or a certain gentle giant Disney prince there to rescue her from the every day trials of life, Sophie hoped to teach her children these lessons, as well as learn ones of her own. 

Her mother had sent her a letter after she left, but at the time Sophie was such a mess that she hadn't truly appreciated it. 

You are now the head of this household. There is no one there to dictate how your children are raised. But as Spider-Man's uncle once said, with great power comes great responsibility. Everything about you (your mood, your strength, your energy) sets the mood your children will be raised in. 

You must come first, Sophie. You must take care of yourself always, and find your happiness so your children can find their own. 

Know when to ask for help, because there are people around you who are ready and willing to help. It's okay to need a break, and it's okay to be overwhelmed. 

You are the ground of which your family thrives or falter's on, so stand strong, baby girl, and never waiver in the storm. There is no prouder moment than seeing your children grow into beautiful people, and knowing that you shaped who they were and led them into adulthood. When they thrive, you thrive, and when you thrive, they thrive. 

The letter was part of the reason she decided to leave, if only for a while. She came here to put herself first. To be able to have help when she needed without relying on it too much. 

"Oh, my sweet girl," her mother sang out as the door to her apartment opened. Arms held out, beckoning Sophie. 

She obliged, already feeling like it had been a lifetime since she received one of her mother's hugs that could have solved world hunger and brought peace throughout the land. Another thing she hadn't fully appreciated when she was Justin's age, and probably not appreciated fully until she'd left for college.