I often answer the question: "Who's life is like this?"
This, from my youngest sister, still in the throws of dirty diapers and sleep deprivation.
And from the middle sister: "Ohhh, that sounds like it would be SO wonderful and relaxing." When talking about massages vs. chiropractic visits. (I mean, really, for almost the same money, you can smell like lavender essential oils and become one with a mattress and feel like a whole new noodle compared with a chiropracter who snaps you in two and sends you on your way)!
I'm relishing my wrinkles and older (than my sister's) age at the present moment. All the challenges of young motherhood, while wonderful and rewarding, are mostly a thing of the past.
I suppose this is the part of the circle -- where your children clean the house when they can't sleep and you are out on a rare date; where they clear the table without asking; when they fold the laundry willingly just for a surprise.
The difficulties of motherhood seem to be: why are you outgrowing your too-expensive jeans so fast? why don't you turn on that cell phone we bought you so we can communicate with you when your not home? would you please go to sleep before midnight? And...that will be $66 for all 3 pedicures. Cuz when you get older, they want to come along and what used to be an affordable treat becomes something costly to share with your daughters!
Ahh...well. Small price to pay -- since I've already paid with sleepless nights, hospital visits, colic, potty-training, and spit-up parfum! Now it's mean girls, left-off party invites, will I make the cut soccer try-outs, and more.
So while I may not be young and beautiful and I wear a few more wrinkles than I would care for -- I'm definitely better rested and more relaxed. And life is good.
3 comments:
I loved this Fairy Godmother! It was very touching indeed. I don't know if I'm ready for all those hard things like left out party invites and the such. But folding the laundry w/o being asked? Don't think I'll mind that! Time goes by too fast as it is. I know it will be here before I'm ready, that's for sure.
Love this post. Ah, the life. Actually, I'm in the middle of both of you, literally! Still having a few crazy nights while getting a few of those cleaning surprises, thanks to children who are starting to catch the feeling of service. It's a good place to be, while looking forward to a few more of your dilemmas.
why don't i have an older sister like you? oh, because i AM the older sister. so hopefully one day i can dispense advice (or life perspective) like this to my little sis - and love every minute of it!!!
ps - sometimes i look at families out to eat without toddlers/babies (they have their older kids along with them) and i see that they have no crayons, no food all over the place, no sugar packets all over the floor under their children's chair, no crazy look in their eye, and i think - yes, it does happen!!!!
Post a Comment