Let me just begin this post by saying to you, fellow moms, that this isn’t meant to feel like one more thing you need to do.
Or be.
This is a humble invitation, not so unlike the tiny hand that reached out to give me flowers a little while ago. This is an offering of the best way I know how to make time stretch in the good way; how to end even the rough days without the mom guilt winning. This is the secret to a decent chunk of my happiness.
It’s the simple choice to be thankful in motherhood. The beauty of it is that it’s low-maintenance, multitask-friendly, and your resources are abundant. It doesn’t have to be done perfectly; it doesn’t have to be “done” at all. All the things it requires are already, and always, there.
Lest you think I am talking nonsense to you from up in the clouds while raising darling, fluffy little cloud-babies, I’ll give you an example of our day so far: we have one scratched cornea, a deceased lizard crisis (RIP Iris, you were a good little gecko), a post-bath Sonic slush hair/body/clothes/car seat treatment (hi, I’m Lindsay and I make bad choices), and no fewer than four headlocks. I have three kids. We homeschool. We are facing some ongoing challenges in our family. There is no shortage of, well, shortages in my week. I fail and fumble and we are all a mess over here sometimes.
There in the in-between, though…there lives the lovely. Or amazing. Or just plain good. Stuff that could make your heart explode if you’re open to it. Stuff to rest your head on each night.
There are piggyback rides. There’s succeeding in making my 12 year old son truly laugh (you teen/tween mamas know what I’m talking about…that is SOLID GOLD). There’s singing in the car and mermaid drawings and arms wrapped so tightly around you. There’s the kissable, sweet-smelling perfection that is the top of a little head. There are hands that still fit in ours at any age. There’s sibling love when they think no one is looking. There are big hearts on display. There are overheard bouts of pretend with plots that could rival a telenovela.
There are your babies, right in front of you, right this moment. Whatever state they’re in, each one of them is a wonder, and we get the sacred privilege of holding wonder for a little while. It’s all there, mamas. We only have to look for it.
Love your first post Lindsay!
Thank you Natalie, and thanks so much for the opportunity to share!