There are days when I am THAT mom.
When I bring my daughter to storytime at the library even though she is coughing with a bark like a seal. When she sits in the front row, squished between total stranger toddlers, and proceeds to loudly make friends between conversations, giggles, coughs, and interacting with the storytime leader. Not a wall-flower, this one. She made her presence known. Hand on hip. Ponytail flip. Giggle, cough, hack-up-a-lung.
Not only that, though: it’s also a day when I have baby poop on my fingers because I was dumb enough to see if the baby had filled his diaper, checking by feel rather than by sight or smell.
This was one of those days where I kind of felt like half the people, everywhere I went, must have been staring at me with wide eyes, wild cynicism brewing in their heads, stifled giggles behind their hands.
But instead of getting frustrated and focusing on what could be seen as mistakes, oversights, or faux paux… I just embraced it and smiled at myself. I giggled inwardly at my half-baked, tired little crew. Sick and poopy, to boot.
I’m happy.
I’m blessed.
I have way more goodness and God’s grace in my life than I can describe or deserve. (which is why it is called GRACE, after all)
Nobody fell into a gorilla cage.
Nobody was dragged into a lagoon by an alligator.
I didn’t forget a child, strapped in a hot car while I went shopping.
There was no pickpocket, carjacker, or insane gunman on the scene.
It has been “one of those days.”
Where things are imperfect. And everybody seems to need a nap & an attitude adjustment.
But there are days, like today, where the imperfections just add to my joy and up my daily giggle quota.
There are days where I’m THAT mom.
And I couldn’t be more thankful that God has given me a girl (even when she’s sick), a baby (even when his poop gets all over me), a car to drive us around, provision to fill up the grocery cart again today (even though I already did it yesterday too), two big boys who are exhausted & sun-crisped from soccer camp, and a messy home (laundry room has a mountain in it, and please don’t check the kitchen sink out today)…
There are days where it’s just THAT good.
And I love it when I have the eyes to see it.
Love this my friend. You are doing such a good job!
I love your raw honesty and your ability to see ALL the joy in every day… even on “THOSE” days! God is so good and gracious to us! And honestly, I needed to read this post right now because I had one of those days… it’s been hard to keep up caring for a dear family member all the while trying not to stress about the work that I’m not getting done. But it’s all good because God had given me this precious gift of today, air to breathe, food to eat, sunshine, water, hugs, family and so much more. I am thankful!
Isn’t it wonderful when you are in the middle of it, and can see the goodness? Oftentimes it seems like you can see the humor/grace/fun/perspective when looking back at a situation or a day, but to be able to make mental note that THIS is the good life, right now, is truly a gift and sweetness.
Mental photographs and little mental notes. I try to make them often.