As a child, I remember reading The Little House on the Prairie series and being so drawn into them that I would stay up late to read. I would read and read and read, flipping the pages just eating up Laura's adventures. My mom would call up, "Finish the chapter and turn out the lights!" Read, flip, read, flip, I would become completely absorbed in the story. Then I would flip the page and there would be just one lone paragraph left in the chapter. I would be caught off guard. The chapter had gone by so very quickly.
I often see my life as a book. Chapters breaking up the stages of my life with titles such as; Finding Mr. Right, My Life as a Bridezilla, Throwing Up For Nine Months, on and on the chapters unfold. For the past five years I have been contently wrapped in a chapter entitled "Mommy and Me." My life has followed the pattern of a stay at home mom with two little girls. Morning play groups or Mommy and Me class, home for lunch, afternoon nap, play, run errands, get ready for dinner. That has been the rhythm of my days.
Last Monday afternoon, I went to the science museum with my sister and her children. As I was driving around the parking lot, waiting for a spot, I watched moms with young toddlers leaving the museum. They left in pairs and small groups, pushing their toddlers in strollers. A few were pregnant with baby number two. Watching those women, I was suddenly very aware that I'm not them anymore. I was rather surprised to realize it. When had that happened? How many days in the last few years have I done the 10 am at the museum play date? 75, 162, 724? But when had I done it recently? Hum… I can't remember. With Sarah getting ready to head to kindergarten and Emily in programs 3 days a week, that's just not our life anymore. Last week, I accepted a part time position at my church. It is the first time I have worked outside of the house in 5 years. I am excited about the position, but it too brings changes to our life.
Sitting in the museum parking lot, I flipped the page in my own life story, and saw a lone lingering paragraph. The Mommy and Me chapter is coming to a close. I can't be purely cliché or stoic, I am excited about our next chapter but I am sad to see this one end. It was a sweet chapter, that passed all too quickly.
6 comments:
With tears in my eyes I finished reading "with a flip of a page". As a mother of two grown daughters I reflect on the wonderful days of "Mommy and Me" that continue. lna
boo hoo. That is so sad.
i was very happy to end that chapter but now i do look at the mom carrying her little baby in the sling and must admit that I do miss it...surprising as that may be and if the immaculate conception decides to visit my house I may have to eat my words:)
You are such an amazing mom you should have 7 more...don't close the chapter we need a Peter Jr!!!!
BTW I LOVE Little House on the Prarie!!!
Sweet post, Wendy.
My page has flipped too. My kids are 11, 9, and almost 6, and I'm relishing the afternoons that my morning kindergartener has with me at home. Because I know they're limited, and that my life will feel so different next year.
Good luck with your new job, and with all the changes that will ensue.
I have to say that the picture brings back so many wonderful memories, it seems just like yesterday we were all at Nova or having our Runaway Mommy Playgroup...me trying to do it ALL with my twins. I too had a similar awakening recently as we were driving and just reflecting on the conversation the three of us were actually having! I thought where did the time go...it used to be just me talking with the Music Together CD in the background. Those days were precious, and this new chapter is quite amazing as well. Thanks for sharing...You are awesome!!
You put that eloquently. I too feel my playdate chapter flipping to the end with a daughter in preschool and a kindergartener. But before long, just like in a book you begin the new chapter and are just as engrossed!
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