Tuesday, November 27, 2007

i found this on someones blog comments today. i believe it's an excerpt from a book. it is so how my day went with tatum today.
i know it's long but so worth the time.
It was one of those heavy days where everything seemed in slow motion. A sink full of dirty morning dishes glaring in a pile, waiting for me to attend to. White tile floors with too many soggy cheerios drying tight with their milk glue. Two kids gone to school, one little guy home to need you. So much needed to be done, but my whole body was filled with that mind numbing sand that keeps you from quickness. You know, one of those days where you don't dare pass by the couch or else you may get sucked in indefinitely. You know how the faster you try to run against a water current, the slower it seems you go. That was me.
So I decided I needed some Norah Jones to accompany my chores. It had been a while since we visited, so I invited her.
I started on those dishes when the little guy starts whining at my feet, arms held high in the air. Shhh boy. I'm listening to Nora. She's helping me cope. He starts tugging - hard enough for me to lose my balance. What boy?
"mom?"
It was literally an open arm invitation. So I scooped up that little one and decided to give in. I knew exactly what he was asking.
We swayed and twirled and spun and swooped and I dipped. He laughed and squealed. Those dishes tried to ruin it once by sneaking into view, so I closed my eyes. Then I noticed how tightly the little one was holding on to me. I stopped fighting against the day's current and decided to let it move me. Because that was a moment I was loving. We slowed our dance a little and he rested his head on my shoulder. After a while, I thought he may have fallen asleep so I glanced into a mirror for confirmation that he was.
I saw the reflection of a mother holding her child. I am a mother.I said goodbye to Norah and we walked straight over and onto that couch.
The day seemed to move much lighter after that.
in other words, my house is a disaster but i loved the time with my girl.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Awwwwww! Children don't stay little forever, even though it seems otherwise on many days. I totally get this latley, knowing that Chlow won't be the baby much longer. It makes me hold her longer now. Glad it all turned out good.

Sarah said...

Thanks for posting that. I total can relate to that poem. My house is also a disaster but I have been trying to love on my little guy a little more lately. He is growing mcuh to fast for my liking!!!

A. Kuhni said...

Great quote and what a great reminder to embrace the little moments we have with our kids. I tell you, I can completely relate with the overwheleming feelings that come from all the chaos we have around us that as mother's, we are trying to put into order. Sometimes it seems to be too much to handle and that is when we need to sink into that couch and spend a moment with our children. It brings things into perspective so I appreciate that quote and I will remember to do that more often this week!

Kenyon said...

Where did you find that precious poem, wow, I love that. Im so glad you posted that!

Shelly Hanson said...

I feel the need for times like that all the time. My baby is 11...I am so close to losing those chances with her. I'm a lucky mother to have a girl who; at her age still looks for me just to give me a hug. I need to lok for HER more often.

Brenna said...

Sounds all to familiar! I love those days and really the house just keeps getting messy from these little people anyways, so might as well occupy them with such cuteness and then they aren't making more messes. Does that make sense? I love dancing with my kids. Glad you had a fun day with Tater tots!

Bowlby Family Organazation said...

ok that brought tears, i must be extra emotional, jordan had her first shots today. wow where does the time go, it seems like it was just yesterday that i had her. and i love the pictures, once again i must say you are very talented. miss you!