Friday, February 11, 2011

Because I choose to be a mom...

There is a book club meeting and coffee in half an hour from now. I am missing it because I choose to be a mom.

There is a movie coming on tonight at 7pm that I really wanted to see. I am missing it because I choose to be a mom.

Some of my friends are leaving on a weekend drive and concert. I am missing it because I choose to be a mom.

My husband has the day off for Valentine's Day and our favorite restaurant is having a Sweetheart Special. I am missing it because I choose to be a mom.

My favorite clothing store is having a sale and the perfect pair of jeans is almost affordable. I am missing it because I choose to be a mom.

There was a perfect sunrise this morning that I got to see while feeding the baby. I didn't miss it because I am a mom.

My oldest daughter pointed out the way the snow sparkles like diamonds in the sun and her little sister told a fascinating story about snow fairies, pirates and tea parties. I didn't miss it because I am a mom.

I got the wettest kiss ever from the baby because I made her a grilled cheese cut into perfect triangles. I didn't miss it because I am a mom.

I have a beautiful picture of 5 smiling stick figures on my fridge that is supposed to be our family. I didn't miss it because I am a mom.

I walked into the 3 year olds bedroom last night and kissed her. She sleepily opened her eyes, smiled and said "I love you, mom." I didn't miss it because I am a mom.

NOW...let's define "IT" in all the above situations.


There is a book club meeting and coffee in half an hour from now. I am missing TIME AWAY because I choose to be a mom.

There is a movie coming on tonight at 7pm that I really wanted to see. I am missing ENTERTAINMENT because I choose to be a mom.

Some of my friends are leaving on a weekend drive and concert. I am missing ME TIME because I choose to be a mom.

My husband has the day off for Valentine's Day and our favorite restaurant is having a Sweetheart Special. I am missing DINNER OUT because I choose to be a mom.

My favorite clothing store is having a sale and the perfect pair of jeans is almost affordable. I am missing SHOPPING because I choose to be a mom.

There was a perfect sunrise this morning that I got to see while feeding the baby. I didn't miss BEAUTY because I am a mom.

My oldest daughter pointed out the way the snow sparkles like diamonds in the sun and her little sister told a fascinating story about snow fairies, pirates and tea parties. I didn't miss MAGIC because I am a mom.


I got the wettest kiss ever from the baby because I made her a grilled cheese cut into perfect triangles. I didn't miss SIMPLE PLEASURES because I am a mom.


I have a beautiful picture of 5 smiling stick figures on my fridge that is supposed to be our family. I didn't miss WHAT'S IMPORTANT because I am a mom.


I walked into the 3 year olds bedroom last night and kissed her. She sleepily opened her eyes, smiled and said "I love you, mom." I didn't miss LOVE because I am a mom.

21 comments:

Colleen said...

WOW-you hit the nail right on the head!!!
Thanks for reminding me why I am choosing to work part-time from my home(to stay with my kids) rather than take more lucrative career opportunities.
I needed that today!

Anonymous said...

Wow.. That's beautiful! Absolutely beautiful.. I know being a mom requires sacrifices, but I still can't wait to experience all the beauty, magic, simple pleasures that come from it. Hopefully one day.

CM said...

I'm with ya. I see other moms going on scrapbooking weekends and off to go shopping for the day (not that there's anything wrong with that) and honestly, I don't miss it. Being a mom who works outside the house for 45 + hours a week, I cherish every moment I get to spend with my boys.

PS. Have a "date night" after the kids go to bed, complete with late dinner, flowers, candles, and wine!

caseylynn_78@Yahoo.com said...

Loved reading this today!!! I needed to be reminded to further define the IT's in my life in order to have the proper view of what my life looks like as a mom!

Unknown said...

I feel this way so often. A lot of my "girlfriends" go out, have girl's night out, etc, but I choose not to go, because I'd rather snuggle my girlie to sleep.

I don't always make the right choices, but I hope that I AM making enough right choices that it makes a difference to my daughter.

Loved this.

Shell said...

This is so beautiful and so true.

We miss things as moms, but they aren't the important things.

Gigi said...

Sometimes, what we get in being a mom is better than what we might've missed.

Well said :)

Judy Whatilivefor said...

It's easy to look at the greener grass in other's lives, but I would not trade the life I lead for anything because of those kisses, hugs and late night "I love you"'s!

Anonymous said...

Well said, momma!

Nichole said...

As your friend, I so wanted for this to be fiction.
But, as a survivor of painful circumstances, I know that these experiences make us who we are today...better parents, better friends, better women.

You wrote of the pain so carefully...I love that much of it felt like fact, but here and there, emotion seeped in, and it was controlled perfectly.

Excellent job.

Jennifer Farris said...

Sacrifice. That's what we do. But as you pointed out, the rewards are limitless.

Laura Schindler said...

oh WOW! Cry, tear. That was amazing and really puts A LOT into perspective!! Thank you!

Brenda Rothman (Mama Be Good) said...

Having these same feelings lately and really trying to balance. I need my me time and it makes me a better mom when I get to reorganize, rejuvenate, relax. But I get it so infrequently, I really have to prioritize ... everything I want to do. And everything I want for my son.

Lindsey said...

Great post. So true.

Lisa Lehmann @StudioJewel said...

so true. so awesome.

i often think "i'm missing it I'm missing it...but if i was "there" I would be missing everything that is "here"...and i love "here".

thank you for sharing!

xo

Brandon Duncan said...

Wow. I am impressed.

This is a very cool post and something I would probably not have thought about. I love it. The message is great: Priorities, perspective---it covers it all.

Very nice.

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

I've been reading over your blog and I think we're kindred spirits! I have three girls, I write, and my middle daughter (age 3) has a speech delay. Anyway, I enjoy your writing "voice" and I can definitely relate.

I'm passing along a blog award to you:

http://embracingdestiny.blogspot.com/2011/02/blog-award-and-some-random-things-about.html

Jessica said...

I absolutely love this. THIS is the way I try to adjust my vision and see life with my kids each day. I'm not always the best at it but I try. Beautiful.

Krajcimama said...

What a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I am going to make sure to pay extra close attention to all of the things I am not going to miss tomorrow because I am a mom!

Unknown said...

You sacrifice far more than I do, Squishy. You are a phenomenal person and mother. Your kids are sooo blessed and lucky to have you.

:-)

I really loved this post!

Anonymous said...

This is lovely. We give up a lot to be a mom, don't we. But, it's always worth it. xo

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