Sunday, May 13, 2012

A Mother's Wish List

Years ago my sweet son created a beautiful Mother's Day card for me.

On the front of the card he created a picture of me made from various scraps of fabric and paper. My card self had shockingly yellow hair and a skirt that suggests I have absolutely no sense of style.

On the inside of the card my son had written the following message:

"Mom, happy mother's day. When can I play more Wii?"

Imagine if we could, for one day, request things WE want. My wish list is rather simple.

I want:

  • To sleep past 6:36 a.m.
  • Children to stop tormenting each other which forces me to use that voice my mother used when I tormented my sister. It's the same voice I swore I would never use with my children.
  • Children to be able to use the bathroom without being reminded to wipe, flush, and wash hands (in that exact order).
  • The opportunity to use the bathroom privately.
  • Children's eyes to be physically incapable of rolling around in their sockets while I am staring into them.
  • People in my house to learn how to use those two mysterious machines that wash and dry clothes. They can stop thinking we have a Laundry Fairy
  • To be left alone long enough so I can read Fifty Shades of Grey
  • To be left alone long enough to find a good hiding place for Fifty Shades of Grey
  • To raise children who will be able to recognize a good nursing home from a bad one and then decide NOT to send me to the bad one.
  • My children to realize that every time I make a suggestion, its because I love them more than air versus merely wanting to make their life miserable.
  • My children to truly understand how glorious motherhood is, and despite all the things I want from them, my day is already complete because of them.

On this Mother's Day, I am painfully aware that some only wish they had one more day with their child or one more day with their mom. I know Mother's Day is a happy day for some, bittersweet for others, and agonizing for those grieving.

Whether we are mothers to 1 or 12, whether we are single mothers, widowed mothers, young mothers, older mothers, we are mothers.

Happy Mother's Day to all of us overwhelmed mothers who screw up parenting regularly, but remain well intentioned throughout.

For those mothers who can only hold their children in their hearts and not in their arms, you are the most courageous mothers of all.

1 comment:

  1. I love this list! I know the exact voice you are talking about -scary how it can come our of your mouth! Hope you had a great Mother's Day!
    Crystal @EatDrinkClev

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