Friday, March 13, 2009

Sweet Grace

This week, I have been sick. Sinus infection. It’s been a no-makeup, pony-tail, no-distinction-between-pjs-and-day-clothes week. And this can make a momma… grumpy.


There are exacerbations, of course. Like on Sunday when the girls chose dresses that needed to be ironed, and hairstyles that required…time. And time is exactly what there wasn’t enough of on Sunday morning. Especially considering other important things that needed to be done, like choosing my own clothes and fixing my own hair. But then… I wasn’t sick on Sunday, so I guess it’s not a good example.


Ok, here’s another one…from tonight. So this clearly qualifies as sickness-induced-impatience. When it’s bed time, there are a lot of things you need. Stories, songs, prayers, water, oh-i-forgot-i-need-to-go-potty, teddy bears, dollies, i’m hungry, lambies, blankies, just-one-more-song?... and somewhere in there, mommy gets impatient.


Or try this one. A pile of toys-book-dress up clothes-dolls-beads-blocks on the floor. One simple instruction. Everything on the floor has a home—Find it. I need go no further down this road. You see? My impatience is completely justified! … right?


Insert a few other scenarios that don’t paint momma in such a good light.


So Kathryn says to me at bedtime, “It’s OK mommy. I understand. I feel that way when I’m tired too.”


Grace is always undeserved, but much sweeter when you see how needy you are.

3 comments:

Gina Marie said...

I had a similar experience last night, but I got truth from my child! (and that's exactly what I needed). Same situation - trying to get the kids to bed with Erik having been gone nearly two weeks. I just wanted to get them in and down so I could have silence. I thought I was done when Megan said, "Mommy, can I have a drink?" and I gave an audible sigh.

She said, in a somewhat sad voice, "Mommy, why did you do that?" Straight to the heart! So I explained that mommies get tired and just want to rest too, but that I was happy to get her a drink, and glad that she called me on it. Then of course she was my sweet grace-overflowing girl. Convicting but encouraging too!

SpringSnoopy (Julie) said...

Oh, Kathryn! Oh, Tracie! I understand your scenarios completely, although mine even happen when I'm not ill.

I do hope you feel better soon though.

Tracie said...

Wow, all this mutual "I know" from my mommy friends. I feel loved :) This 2nd antibiotic seems to be working better. Some energy back but still waiting for my nose to clear!