This picture pretty sums up my Mother's Day. We all lost our heads.
It started early about 6am when Maya decided it was time to get up. I had just crawled back into bed after feeding Ethen at 5:30am. "Maybe I'll get a nap today," I thought foolishly.
No expressions of Happy Mother's Day from my kids, just "MAMA!" (Translation, come here right now! I've done something crazy!") In this case it was Maya who had somehow broken the leg off of our dining room chair. How it happened, I will never know.
The chaos and mayhem is partly Dave's fault. He was supposed to be supervising Maya, but he can't do that from Houston. He left yesterday and will be gone almost a week.
The craziness continued as I tried to show off my mothering skills during Sacrament meeting while everyone shouted praises about motherhood. It didn't quite work as Maya colored on the pews, spoke loudly, snuck into the aisle, and finally ended up being taken out while shouting, "NOOO!" All of this with Ethen in my arms. After the meeting finally ended and I was sweating through my shirt, I leaned forward and asked the girl in front of me if her husband was also out of town, because she was sitting alone 9 months pregnant with her two kids. She replied that he was and then said out loud what I was thinking. "These chocolates they gave us are great, but what I really wanted was for them to end the meeting 20 minutes ago before my kids lose it!" I just chuckled. Amen, sister.
So after a crazy day, I called my mom and grandma and vented. They laughed and said that's why motherhood was for the young. I should have started 10 years ago. Bedtime proved to be the worst it's been in a long time. I won't go into those details.
I am reminded of a poem I once heard,
After awhile you learn the subtle differences
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up high
With the grace of an woman not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.
And you learn that even sunshine burns
If you get too much.
So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
First item on the agenda today: Go buy myself some flowers.
6 comments
That picture "cracks" me up! Oh, you did forget to mention your amazing lesson you gave in Relief Society, amidst all of your Mother's Day chaos. You need to read my friend's Mother's Day blog post. Check here: http://familiabarlow.blogspot.com/2009/05/6.html
Shir... wishing I was close enough to send you those flowers!!
We have all had those mother's day's, I think, but somehow they fade when the kids get a little bit bigger... and I am thinkin' that is way too fast.
Love you.
Shir - I feel your pain! I think you're amazing. Loved the honesty. Sorry Dave had to be gone on Mother's Day. But you embody the perspective in that poem to a tee. I think you're one of the toughest ladies I know. We all admire you for the great job you are doing, especially with all the challenges of living abroad. We love you!
Your Mother's day post made me laugh out loud. I was venting to my mom last night about my mother's day church experience and and how it was stressful. She made a comment about how all the talks are usually about how perfect a mom the person has...and you judge sink down in your seat b/c you know you don't feel that perfect.
oh, so sorry shirlee. i've had many days like that myself when patrick is conveniently UNAVAILABLE. i spent all mother's day in an airplane/airport with the baby, so my day wasn't that great either. .
I am sorry your Mother's Day was not more enjoyable! I was just talking with a friend about how hard motherhood really is. Some days you say "why me?" Your good days will come...remember you just had a baby. You are one tough "cookie"!
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