I. Am. Batman.

This is maybe one of the most proud relationship related photos I have. This is my oldest, his mother, and me-the bonus mom. BMOC (Big Man on Campus-admittedly his McGee name may need work) was only 3 ½ when he came into my world and he hasn’t left it since. Early on his mom and I figured out how to become good friends united by a love for this guy and with his best interests always at heart. I realize it’s not always this way but for us and all of our collective children it was the best way-I highly recommend it!

So when BMOC called with information for his graduation from Texas A&M in December (Could I be any prouder??) I was thrilled, my next call was to his mom to chat about details, compare notes about what to wear, made arrangements and we were set!

While I was packing for my trip I realized there were some family dynamics at play that could prove challenging with extended family members, bless their hearts. I’m finding these days that there is often a jockeying affect with family members, in particular in those families that are different from the traditional two parent household where it’s a competition to be the important one in the room or to mark ones territory.

Ever grateful for my relationship with BMOC’s mom we chatted about it, had a good chuckle at the similar feelings we both had around the situation and figured to hell with anyone who thought otherwise-this is his day and it will be an amazing one!

The night before my flight I read that when news of Ben Affleck playing Batman broke Michael Keaton was asked if he was envious of Affleck. His response was like someone took my snow globe, turned it upside down and the snow shifted in a new way never to be the same. He replied:

“No. Do you know why? Because I’m Batman. I’m very secure in that.”

It hit me with so hard I chuckled out loud.

I am Batman.

There is no one who can take away who I am.

Nothing changes the relationship I have with BMOC.

Or with his mom.
And for me, that changes the way I see everything.

As I drove down to College Station from the airport-it was a long Texas travel day-I was also struck that the reason this works, the reason our son enjoys both his mom and his bonus mom, and has grown into the man he is was because SHE was Batman. His mom has always known who she was to her son and that there was no one, no bonus mom, no time away while he lived in my home, nothing that could take that away. It was because of who SHE knew SHE was that allowed me to be a bonus in his life. And because of that he has two soft landing places when things get tough or he wants to come home.

So when he graduated and someone said-grab the mom's for a picture-when his mom laughed and said "Are you ready?" I knew what she was looking for and we both planted some mom love squarely on his cheeks!

Over the past six months this has proved to be the most all encompassing concept in my repertoire, my annual motto of sorts-I am Batman. There is nothing you can say or do, no opinion you have of me, no situation that can be thrown at me that will ever take away who I am. I am very secure in that.  And there is no opinion I have of you that will take away who you are. It’s pretty simple. There is a great deal of peace and power in knowing who you are and an even greater abundance of love when you can accept yourself and allow others to be who they are in the space they are in.

And just for the record…Michael Keaton was always my Batman.

40 by 40...McGee Style

Ok.
It's true.
I'm entering my 40th year.

It seems like a cliche reasonable time to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going and in my obsessive online searches research I've come across the idea of a 40 things to do before I turn 40 list.

Now, there aren't all earth shattering, high dollar, big deal things but they are all moments I would like to have over the next 365 days. And as I go I'll update and highlight the fun stuff!

My 40 by 40

1. Enjoy a drink with a sphere ice cube.
2. Learn to surf.
3. Camp at the beach.
4. Get to my lifetime goal weight.
5. Take a hike in red mountains.
6. Run a 5k.
7. Paddle board.
8. Take a family road trip.
9. Take a yoga class.
10. Road trip with Mr Man.
11. Visit a museum.
12. Get my substitute teacher credential.
13. Outline my first book.
14. Post 20 blogs.
15. Have a Disneyland date with Mr. Man.
16. Make something.
17. Laugh with my mom.
18. Watch a movie outside.
19. Donate blood.
20. Give $20 to someone who needs it more than me.
21. Spend 24 hours alone.
22. Treat myself to a facial.
23. Send a card in the mail just because.
24. Spend time with dad.
25. Let it go-that thing that gives you anxiety. You know the one.
26. Have coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in more than a year.
27. Submit an article for publication.
28. Ride a bike.
29. Run the two mile route.
30. Bake a strawberry rhubarb pie.
31. Go to a Bingo night.
32. Shoot a gun.
33. Get dressed up for a night out on the town, dinner and a show.
34. Throw a party.
35. Send out Christmas cards.
36. Decorate something at home using one of the pins on my Pinterest board.
37. Play a piano. It’s been too long.
38. Spend a day with my camera out. Not my iPhone camera. THE camera.
39. Read a really great book. 
40. Dare I say get a tattoo? Or at least decide on the tattoo.

I'll be making some changes around here and updating the look a bit, adding a section for my 40 by 40 and just generally getting all crafty on you so keep coming back...It's going to be a great year!

Are you still there?

Hey.

You.

You're still there?

I've got big things brewing this year.

I know I've neglected you.

But.

It's my 40th year.

It's going to be a bang.

Keep coming back...I'll be getting back to my McGee roots and finding some wings!

-McGee