Last on the list

As I get into bed at 9 pm after starting my day at 6 am, I finally don’t have to think of anyone, any immediate work.  Finally everything for the day is done.

This includes dropping off boys at school, picking up Zander, picking up the boys at school.  Cleaning up the bathroom Zander after a little potty mishap.  Seeing clients.  Doing tax returns.  Working towards my Friday deadline.  Feeding kids.  Coaching cricket.  Doing homework.  Making posters for Friday’s entrepreneurs day.  Feeding.  Giving the right medication to the right child.  Yes mom they ate before they got their medication. Bathing.  Saying goodnight and giving compliments.  Hugs and kisses.

So there I am in bed at 9 pm.  Tommie turns around and says “You know, I’m last on your list of priorities”  He might be right there at the bottom but he is not last.  I am.  I would love for it to be different but there’s only 24 hours in a day and I need at least 8 hours sleep (which does not count as me time, especially after having very little to no sleep for 8 years).  Sorry about that.

After giving Zander his bath, I put on his favourite Barney pj’s and without saying anything like every other night I give him a big hug. He hugs me back (those real big bear hugs) and says “Love you too” nogal net so in Engels. 

All I needed.  Just a thank you and I love you.

 

Every little detail

Kids see detail.  Even if we think they don’t.  Even when we don’t.

Yesterday as we were leaving the office, Quintus decided to practise his throwing skills on my very unsuspecting leg.  Heck did that hurt!  So in return because I was a 9 year old and wanted to get back at him I threw the ball at him.  Being all girl I miss and the ball landed in the flowerbed.

After a big search by him and our garden boy, it was nowhere to be found.  I was blissfully unaware, as I was trying to load all our crap stuff into the car.  I was about to drive away when I noticed his face in the rear view mirror.  I couldn’t understand why he was so upset, until he explained that the ball is now lost.

I jump out of the car and go looking for the ball between the bushes and flowers.  In my work clothes.  On my knees.  Getting dirty.  I found it and returned to my very thankful son.  All is well.  I put the smile back on his face and now we can finally leave.

About 15 minutes later he says:

“I’m so glad you are my mom.  You are the best mom.”

“Well, thank you very much Quintus….but why do you say that?”  —-still feeling guilty for almost throwing the ball away —-

“Because no other mom would go searching for the ball the way you did.”

 

The opposite

And then we have days like these. Days where Jason makes me this. He sits with my mom and lovingly chooses everything - from the photos to where the items must go.

Where Quintus spends over an hour to make hearts in a leaf for me. Having leaf after leaf swept away by the wind but starting over again. To get it just right. Just for me.

Where Quintus makes me a cup of coffee before school. All by himself.

These days are perfect. These days are the days that make the difficult ones worth it. I am so thankful that these days are by far the days we have the most. That in the end I love them and they love me and that’s all that matters.

 

Thank you Mom

Last night in the chaos of getting Quintus settled and out of pain, making dinner and getting JJ and Zander bathed, I forgot to give Jason his medication.  By the time I realized this, he was already fast asleep in his bed.

I fetched his asthma pump and held over his face, without waking him.  Quintus came up behind me and said “You are such a good Mom.  That’s so nice of you not to wake him up.  Thank you”.

Then during the night we were up for 3 hours straight with Quintus throwing up and generally not feeling well.  I was up and down with him all the time.  Rubbing his back, offering water, giving medication.  Just before he finally fell asleep he said - “I’m so glad you are my mom”

Those words made the entire three hours feel like split seconds.