I am sitting in my “office away from home” waiting for my project to upload. My big project that I have been stressing over for weeks now. It is finished. Well, for the time being, until the client sends back a list of demanding changes, but finished for this week, at least.
And then?
I’ve got a few hours to treat myself. Well, I am running all of those errands that are easier to do sans girlies. Like recycling, dropping off the Goodwill boxes, getting a car wash. Definitely in that order, too. The cardboard is making my car stink so it needs to go first, and whatever toy it is that “talks” when I go over any bump is driving me a bit crazy, so it needs to be donated, pronto. And, wow! Is my car is in dire need of a good vacuum. So every surface needs to be clear for the ultimate in vacuuming efficiency.
And then?
I get to do some real fun things. Like get a haircut! By the way, when did this start rating as a relaxing way to spend an hour or two? I guess right about the time I no longer had even ten minutes to brush out my hair, much less style it in any way. But they do this amazing massage during the shampoo…it is worth the haircut just for that – not to mention the shagginess that has taken over my head.
I know I am very lucky to have a job that I can do from home after the girls are in bed. And I’m so very lucky to have Denise two afternoons a week so that I can work. And I’m lucky to have two girls that, for the most part, are pretty amazing and I love spending time with them.
But why do a few truly “free” hours make me feel so incredibly giddy? I am almost heady with the prospect of not having any responsibilities for the afternoon. Free to do whatever Mommy needs or wants.
And then?
This incredibly sweet little girl just came in with her mom and my heart feels like it is going to just pound out of my chest. Just watching her makes me miss E. and A.
I just spent the morning with them, and left them not even more than an hour and a half ago. Yet, I’m already counting down the hours til I go home to bathe them, snuggle with them and put them to bed.
How can that happen just like that – really in an instant?
Such a common occurrance for us too! It never fails. We will go to dinner (finally) alone and in will walk a family with children that quickly remind us of what we have waiting for us at home! It’s wonderful to have that time away. It makes the time together even more special.
That is called “Mommy Love”. It never goes away, Thank God.
I agree with Aunt Laura. It is a wonderful God-given thing that us mothers have and kids that are raised in that atmosphere do nothing but blossom! You are a great Mom — celebrate it!!
Yep, Aunt Laura got it right – that’s the wonder of Mommy Love! Our little ones can drive os batty, but the minute we’re away from them we start to miss them! At any rate, enjoy your well-deserved break!
Ah.. the craziness of motherhood – one moment feeling free and happy to be without them for a few short hours, the next moment missing them desperately.
You wrote this for all of us. I HEAR YOU!
I was thinking to myself, since when did 25 minutes on the elliptical trainer and then a shower AT THE GYM become a luxury? Since having two kids, that’s when.
And then I rush out of the locker room to go scoop them up from the kids care center. Aaah, motherhood.
And as a mom with older kids (notice I did NOT say as an older mom!) : ) ….anyway – I can attest that this feeling doesn’t go away. Despite the bickering and all. When my youngest (11) leaves for the bus stop, I always watch him cross the street and think, “God, I love that kid!”
And when the 16 year old went on her first date, all dressed up to a dance, I cried when she left.
And when the 14 year old gets over being 14 for a few minutes and lets out a good ol’ belly laugh – I’m in love!!
Mommy Love is such an amazing thing!
I can relate………. Just about the time you really start to be productive and lose the guilt of being alone & giddy it is time to go home!!!! Thank goodness they give us so much reason to go home!!! Love your blog!
Mendy