Mother’s Day used to be one of my favorite times of the
year. I love the little handprint cards,
the sweet sticky kisses, the burned- toast-breakfast- in- bed. I love my kids, and I really love being a
mom. So, a day to celebrate that is …wonderful.
But, I’ll be honest – this year, the week leading up to
Mother’s Day has almost done me in.
Planning 2 Mother’s Day Programs for preschool, plus being there every
day this week (when I usually only go in 1 or 2 days a week) makes for a very
busy week. I love teaching music at preschool
– it truly makes me happy. However, It's been a somewhat stressful week.
This week was also Teacher Appreciation Week. Now, I believe every day should be teacher
appreciation – they are the most underpaid, overworked, hardworking people I
know. They deserve every single card, candy,
flower, accolade they get. However, as a
room mom and mother of 2 elementary school kids, I spent a lot more time at
school this week than I normally would spend, sent out a lot of emails, helped put
together a lot of stuff.
Add to that, all the normal mom stuff… laundry, baseball
games, feeding my kids, homework,
laundry… yes, I know I said laundry twice, but it deserves a second
mention. And, my First Grader
had a big biography project due this week.
How many First Graders do you know who can do research on the internet,
write and organize a paper, and prepare an oral presentation? Yea, I don’t know any either. So, it was one more thing on top of an
already overloaded schedule. Both of my
college kids are finishing exams and moving home… and as happy as I am to have
them both here, it creates a different dynamic and rhythm to our home, making
for a little adjustment on all our parts.
And, Josh had to be at school early on Friday for a field trip… by
early, I mean two and a half hours earlier than usual. Anyone
who knows me knows I don’t function well without sleep, and add to that very
little time to exercise, well, it made for a very tired and cranky mom. Not to even mention that my husband has been
gone for over 10 months, and I’m weary from this deployment. I miss
him so much, and my heart hurts from him being gone.
I’ve told more than one person, “These little handprint
cards are just not cutting it anymore.
This week is not fun!”
I admit, I have forgotten one of the most important motto’s
I know… one my husband told me early in our marriage, a favorite quote from his
mentor/boss at the time. “Never confuse the important with the urgent.”
My life is full of urgent.
I live in one of the busiest, most stressful parts of the
country, I would dare say, the world.
Everyone is an overachiever here in Northern VA. Being busy and living life in high gear is
the norm for almost everyone I know, and I feel like a slug when I tell my
friends all I want for Mother’s Day is a nap.
Today we had one of Michelle’s little friends over for a
playdate. I listened to these 2 little
girls giggle and laugh and play dress up in her room. It was music for my heart. My son Josh told me I didn’t have to go to
his make-up baseball game tomorrow, knowing I was so hoping for a quiet
day. I told him I wouldn’t miss him play
ball for all the money in the world… but just that he thought to be so selfless
was sweet. My son, Bill Jr., is moving
back home tomorrow after being away at college for the past year. I can’t wait to see him, to really spend time
with him. My grown daughter spent most
of her day planning and shopping for a brunch she is planning to make me
tomorrow, in honor of Mother’s Day. Even
though she didn’t feel great, and probably didn’t feel like going out to the
store. She loves to cook, and she makes
her food with love.
I was reminded today of what is important. I do love Mother’s Day, because I love my
children with every fiber of my being.
All the urgent stuff can make me tired and even somewhat unhappy at
times. But, being a mom to 4 amazing
children fills my life with unspeakable joy… I know I am blessed way beyond what
I deserve.
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