American Mothers, Inc.

"Once upon a time, in a far away land . . ." isn't that a magical beginning to stories? Most fairytales begin that way and have a little magic along the way and then end with "They lived Happily Ever After"—except the end is really the beginning of the rest of their life. Even Cinderella went through many setbacks before she got her prince. She also had some faithful friends to help her through life's trials. Like the heroines of fairytales, you and I go through many experiences in life that try our faith, patience, and endurance.

I've had people ask me what is the hardest challenge: being a stay-at-home mom or being a working mom. While I was fortunate to be able to stay at home for 25 years while my children were young, I've been a working outside the home for the last 18 years with 11 of those as a single mom, after my prince charming passed away. I would have to say the hardest challenge is the one we're currently dealing with that is causing us pain because we still have lessons to learn there.

There's no magic wand in our life to take away life's challenges but remembering the magic can rebuild and fortify us through the hard times. There's magic in holding a new infant in your arms, hearing a child's first prayer, watching a child kiss her sister's finger to make it all better, or having a four-year-old ask, "Why are you crying, mommy? Jesus loves you!” Or, when your sweet little daughter shows you her bangs cut to the scalp so she can look like her dad, or hearing a four-year-old's modified nursery rhyme, "rain, rain, go away—little Kristy wants to play." There's magic in the compassion of an older brother for his younger brother when he says, "Mom, don't make him miss his soccer game to do his chores, I'll do them for him." There's magic in family games of kick-the-can, no bears are out tonight, or the bedtime stories of the fictional Jack Ga'norey. There's magic seeing your daughters all dressed up for their first prom or your sons sporting their first tux. It's a magical time when your children make the vows of marriage and begin a new family unit. I treasure these magical moments in my life.

I don't think happily ever after is a place we arrive at, but magical moments along the way that are our rewards for preserving. I hope you look for and enjoy the Magic in your life! Thank you.

Ileen Loosle Barlow, a mother of ten children, was born in a small farming community in Northern Utah.  She attended Utah State University where she met and married her husband.  They lived in California prior to setting in Oregon in 1976 and enjoyed 32 years of marriage before her husband passed away from cancer.  Ileen, a two time cancer survivor herself, entered the workforce to support her family and has had a successful career.  She has also served in many positions in her church and community, but most enjoys teaching and working with teenagers.  Ileen was named the 2007 National Mother of the Year ®.