“MOM!! Guess what!??!”
“MOM!! Listen to this song I wrote!”
“MOM!! Can I have Patrick over?”
“MOM!! Can we play on the X-box?”
“MOM!! What is this word?”
“MOM!! He’s annoying me!”
My kids have developed a habit in the last few weeks of beginning all of our conversations with “MOM!!” It’s gotten so bad that last night I had to take a time-out in the middle of the evening’s activities before my husband got home. I went into my room, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.
A few minutes later, I heard the door squeak open, and my daughter came in cautiously. When she saw that I was awake, she lowered her voice to a loud whisper and asked,
“Mom!! What are blackheads?”
Sigh.
So here I am. Font of knowledge. Scheduler. Cook. Mediator. Taxi driver. Captive audience. Etc. And I love it. Most of the time.
But there are days I get a little worn out. And then, well…
My kindergartner can dress himself, of course, but he’s taken to waiting for me to help him on school mornings. I think it’s because it’s time for just us, and it makes him feel that his day is off to a good start.
Yesterday, when I entered his room, he was half out of his p.j.s, playing with Pokemon cards. His whole face lit up, and I heard the usual, “MOM!!” followed by something which I can’t recall now.
I sank to the floor and said, “C’mon bud, you’ve got to get dressed and downstairs for breakfast.”
But he just stood there in his pajama pants, smiling at me.
Then, he folded himself into my lap and kissed my face saying, “You’re the best mom ever.”
I nearly cried as I hugged his little body and touched his soft skin.
It’s amazing how one small thank you can more than make up for all of the unacknowledged gifts we’ve given.
And today, as I hear the birds sing, see the flowers bloom and the sun shine, and feel my heart beat again, I know it is a new day. A chance to start again. One big gift, filled with limitless gifts.
And for all the Lord does for me, I can truly touch His heart today. With thanks.
Let us praise him the more, since we cannot fathom him,
for greater is he than all his works,
Awful indeed is the Lord’s majesty,
and wonderful is his power.
-Sirach 43:29-30
Thank you for reading. I would say it’s important to tell real stories – ones that reveal your genuine struggles. And be open to the fact that writing is a process. What you think you need to say may change by the time you reach the end of writing your piece. Stick with it, even when it feels like no one cares. If it’s a good use of your time, you will be rewarded with joy. Have a great day!