Joining in with Lisa Jo from “The Gypsy Mama” for “5 Minute Friday”…
Where we throw caution (editing, revising, and worrying) to the winds and just write. Without wondering if it’s just right or not.
For five minutes flat. The rules are easy.
- Write your heart out for five minutes and show us what you’ve got.
- Tell your readers you’re linking up here and invite them to play along.
- And most importantly, go visit, read, and encourage the fellow five-minuter who linked up right before you
This week’s prompt is…
Spencer’s birth almost three years ago…
GO:
Motherhood Should Come With…
A warning label that reads CAUTION:
* You will always wear your heart on the outside of your chest. For the rest of your life – not just until they are 18.
* You will never be able to watch the news again because you’ll be disturbed by what has happened to other people’s children or what could happen to your own.
* You will not go to the bathroom alone for about eight years. I don’t really know when this stops because we all must still join me and my oldest is six.
* Your life will be one of constant interruptions. Embrace it because you don’t have a choice. I just read that interruptions are God’s way of showing you something He wants you to see, something He’s doing for your pleasure. There’s a lot these days He wants me to see…
* Your brain cannot hold all it’s supposed to hold – you will forget and miss appointments (did I mention I’m married to a dentist and I missed my appointment with HIM?), a few e-mails will go unanswered, you won’t get messages in time, and you might not always read your preschool child’s classroom newsletter. GRACE.
* Nothing brings your own “junk” to the surface quicker than having your own children. It will surface and you will grow. And that’s His plan, of course.
* You will, for the first time authentically ever in your life, live the life of a true servant. You will put their needs above your own on more than several occasions, you will feel it deeper than they do when their hearts break, you will relish in their sing-song squeals and laughter, you will, for the first time, understand what true gratitude really is.
* There will be days when you will want to run away. I’m just sayin’…
* Coffee will become almost human-like and be one of your closest friends but when you start talking to your mug, it’s time to join a mommy group.
* You will find gum, old Goldfish crackers, Teddy Grahams, and last month’s Book Fair Wish List corroded into your minivan. Or SUV. Or whatever. Good thing I got rid of my shiny red convertible for something more practical.
* You will have to stifle giggles and look away over the things they tell you sometimes. It’s one of my greatest joys in being a mother.
Lastly, motherhood should come with a warning label that tells us you are about to embark on true, real joy. Days are hard sometimes. Actually, days can be hard often. But the fact that I’ve been entrusted with three little people?
I’m in awe that He thought I was ever up to the task.
CAUTION: It’s the best thing that will ever happen to you.
STOP.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mother’s out there – even those without children. Because I know now that you don’t have to have physical children to be a mother…
And to my mother and grandmother? What on earth can I say to communicate my gratitude for you both? “Thank you” just doesn’t seem to be enough but thank you for raising me in a way that will allow me to leave a generational legacy with my own children. I’m in awe of you both.
This is wonderful and so real! I know that I am not the only one that feels the things you write but it is great to read from someone else. I look forward to reading more from you! Happy Mother’s Day
annette
http://sugarsandsnails.blogspot.com
I like your spin on this! Coffee. Oh, what would I do without you in my mornings?
And yes, the truest joy…highest calling. Thank you for these compelling thoughts!
I really don’t know what I would do without coffee in the mornings. Really. I don’t.
I don’t even like to think about it, Theresa. It would not be pretty.
Yes, I agree completely – what an honor to be a mother. Blessings to you this Mother’s Day weekend!
So very true Natalie. Moms have a great job, don’t we?! :) Happy Mother’s Day my sweet friend.
Yes, we do! Thank you, dear one – right back atcha!
We are kindred spirits! I can so relate to your whole post (as I sit here reading and sipping a huge mug of coffee). My oldest is nearly 7.5, and I still have bathroom visitors all. the. time. So I think saying 8 years is a conservative estimate (sigh).
Seriously, beautiful post! :)
Yes, we are!
Bummer. I thought for sure I would have peace in another few years.
Oh well – someday I will go and miss them, right?
Thanks for reading and commenting, Erin!
Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Oh, you crack me up. One of your bullets reminded me of the time I got out of the car to go into a store. A kind lady (b/c anyone unkind wouldn’t have told me this) came up to me and announced I had a gummy bear attached to my derriere.
Yep.
And coffee? Isn’t she the greatest?
Oh, hilarious! I once had a woman tell me I had a princess sticker on my heiny at Target. God bless those angels, right?
Have a great weekend, Erin, and enjoy!
You and I would be really good friends if we lived nearby. I didn’t have time to write a five minute thing today (if that tells you about my day), but I knew if I came here I would read just what I would have written. It’s kind of weird at times how you write just what I’m thinking. As I was mulling over the prompt I never got to write today, I was pinpointing so many of the same things you wrote that when I started reading yours I thought: here you go, I don’t even have to worry about writing one today :)
I totally agree! We need that warning label, either CAUTION or something even more alarming, because BOY does life change once we have kids! :) Not for the worse, but it’s definitely different. Love the way you personalized this!
I spent the weekend with girlfriends, two who are new mothers and learning all these things, but even though it takes 20 minutes extra to get out of the house, I am see the joy in their eyes.
My dear Natalie,
As always, you express yourself so beautifully and as I’ve long said, you are beautiful inside AND out.
I just wanted to forewarn you that after the children have left the nest, you either inherit their pet(s) or some stray critter senses you’re a care-giver and once again, you’re “hooked.” Had to laugh about the bathroom routines….”Gator” pushes open the door every time and sits in there with me. I call him my “potty pal.” But DO question his sense of smell.
Aunt Patty
Hilarious! Thank you, Aunt Patty. I’m personally glad to know those who need some TLC will seek out those who give it for what will I do when my nest is empty?
Love that Gator hangs with you when you just need a moment…
Thank you for reading and commenting – Happy Mother’s Day dear Aunt Patty!
Right on girlfriend! Love this list of special “mommy things” that ought to be on a warning label somewhere… So true, so true. Hope you had a fabulous Mother’s Day! :) :)
Such sweet lovely memories your are creating with your family. And I enjoyed that you shared some of them with us.
Fondly,
Glenda