Do you have anything that you pull out, look at, shudder and then hide it back safely away where it belongs?
I have a draft of a blog post hiding at the bottom of my overly large pile of drafts like that. It contains nothing more than this innocent sentence:
“Mom, guess what? I’m just going to fallow you around wherever ever you go today!!”
Occasionally I flip through all my started and discarded posts looking for inspiration and I run across this one and shudder.
There are probably mothers who could look at a memory like that with full hearts and happy smiles.
I can’t.
Instead that sentence brings me back to days of diapers and mandatory naps. Days of more children than arms and kids that needed help with all the things. Days that there was always at least one kid clinging to me and I wished for nothing more than to walk at a normal speed. Days that remind me just exactly what it felt like when I wished I could jump right out of my skin with it’s clinging children and head for the hills. Days that I’m glad are behind me.
I look at that terrifying sentence and thank my lucky stars, individually and by name, that my kids continue to grow and learn. I thank those stars that I didn’t run for the hills so I can enjoy them now in ways that I couldn’t before. And I thank them for the knowledge I have on those days when I still want to spring out of my skin and head for the hills. The knowledge that, whatever terrible phase we are now in, this to shall pass.
Behind the Willows 
You know when you are looking in the comments section of an article on line and some annoying person has responded “THIS”, well I’m that person this time. I just really can relate to what you have written here.
Thank you for saying so! People kept telling me to cherish those moments when the kids were that age… I think I’m now able to cherish the fact that those moments are behind me. 😉
I agree 🙂 Not that those moments weren’t fine, or that today is perfect, it’s just that I’m glad I’m done with that phase.
AND you never again have to look at that blog draft!
That’s right! 🙂
When I look back I honestly don’t know how I survived raising children. It’s the hardest thing I have ever done. 🙂
🙂 Thanks so much for saying so!!!
Yes, raising children is the hardest job you will ever have. Children are needy and they can’t wait to have their needs filled. I know the feeling of looking for that land to escape to, all mothers do even if they won’t admit it. If you think about it raising a child is the most rewarding job (if we really want to call it a job) you will ever experience. Just think about that little body snuggling in for a story, or waking you up to say “I love you mama”. Or brings that first dandelion for a present. You have 3 little blessings!! They will turn in to 3 young women who will make you very proud and happy to be their mother. Wow was that a lecture or a long winded speech??
I think it was a perfect little story from someone who’s done it and knows. 🙂