I found an article amidst a packet of papers I’ve had for several years. The packet was tucked inside my Sunday School book acting as a bookmark. I’m not sure why I’ve saved this particular packet of papers for so long, but I’m glad I did as it was a refreshing reminder to me when I opened it up and read the article again. I got the article from a more experienced mom and wife a few years ago when I was struggling with my role of motherhood. I am sharing it with you, along with my thoughts as I have gained some insight into motherhood as a result of my children aging and me having more children now than I did a back then.
Wet Oatmeal Kisses
The baby is teething. The children are fighting. Your husband
just called and said, “Eat dinner without me.” One of these days
you’ll explode and shout to the kids, “Why don’t you grow up
and act your age?” And they will.
Or, “You guys get outside and find yourselves something to
do. And don’t slam the door!” And they don’t. You’ll straighten
their bedrooms all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers
in the closet, animals caged. You’ll yell. “Now I want it to stay
this way!” And it will.
You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn’t had
all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the
icing and you’ll say, “Now THIS is a meal for company.”
And you will eat it alone.
You’ll yell, “I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming,
do you hear me?” And no one will answer: No more plastic tablecloths
stained with spaghetti. No more dandelion bouquets. No more
iron-on patches. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots
or rubber bands for ponytails.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No babysitter for New Year’s Eve,
washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school
plays where your child is a tree. No car-pools, blaring
stereos or forgotten lunch money.
No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks.
No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles
in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean. Only
a voice asking: “Why don’t you grow up?”
And the silence echoes: “I did.”
~Erma Bombeck
I cried after reading the article again. Like I mentioned, it’s been a few years since I’ve read it. I remember at the time , I only had 2 children and they were so young it was difficult for me to imagine my home without them here. But, now that I have added more children and Th has aged a few years, I realize I only have a few short years remaining to try to be the best parent that I can to them, teaching and imparting godly wisdom along with the fear and admonition of the Lord. It’s a daunting task but if I’m successful, it will only be by the grace of God! The cost of mothering such a large family is high and means I can’t do all that I could do otherwise: tight budgets, little sleep, a messy home, limited time to pursue my own interests of scrapbooking, reading, and writing, and friendships that revolve around those who have children of similar ages to mine. My own dreams of becming a pilot have been put on hold as I have chosen raising my children as my first priority. Will these high costs be worth it? Well, only time will tell but my prayer is this: for my children to be saved at an early age and live their lives serving the Lord in all they do. Motherhood is my calling and although it’s tough at times, I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me through my children. I have never met a mom who wished she hadn’t had her last child; rather, I have known several who wished she’d had one more. Those are my thoughts exactly…
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