Moments

She stood there giving herself one last glance in the mirror.
At least she wasn’t in her pajamas.
She was dressed and ready to meet the day.
That was a huge accomplishment.

She had a hint of makeup and her hair got some extra attention.
She was wearing the new shirt her husband gave her and a bright colored scarf.
Not bad, she thought as she turned side to side before her reflection.
She tried to hold her stomach in but found it impossible to do since the baby.

This was her first day out alone.
She would be meeting a friend for lunch.
The baby would be fine since grandmothers love this kind of thing.
She even sprayed a bit of perfume on her neck to mark the occasion.

Once last look before she grabbed the myriad of things the baby would need.
An afternoon out takes a lot of planning, not like her days before having children.
It would be worth it; to have a few hours away.
She saw the mark on her shoulder.

The baby spit up earlier, but it was on his bib, not her.
Even though she wiped his mouth, she discovered he wiped it again on her shirt.
There was no time to change.
She turned the scarf so the stain would be covered.

She packed the baby gear in the car.
She put the baby in the car seat.
She was ready to go.
She heard sweet infant sounds all along the way as she drove.

She left the driveway knowing the baby was in excellent hands.
She left the driveway with a twinge in her heart.
This is what she was looking forward to for over a week.
Why was she feeling so sad?

She thought of the endless diapers she has changed over the past few months.
She thought of the sleepless nights.
She thought of the less than firm stomach that greeted her in the mirror each morning.
She thought of the dark circles under her eyes.

She thought of the baby things that seem to be multiplying in her family room.
She thought of the guards that they put over all the electric outlets.
She thought of the hum of the baby monitor that she is growing used to as she sleeps.
She thought of extra laundry.

She thought of pile of books she wants to read.
She thought of the project she would love to start.
She thought of the leisurely nap she would like to take.
She thought of time alone with her husband.

She was not in the best mood to meet a friend for lunch.

Something startled her as she approached the intersection.
Her quick stop to avoid the car in front of her lurched her slightly forward.
Something rolled across the floor of the car.
It was his favorite toy; it must have fallen out when she carried everything inside.

She can’t go back now.
He will miss it.
She picked it up before the light turned green.
She put it on the seat beside her.

As she drove to meet her friend, she saw the toy out of the corner of her eye.
It seemed to be talking to her, but she wasn’t listening.
She couldn’t; she had a lunch to go to, she had a friend to meet.
Be quiet, she found herself saying out loud.

All through lunch, she was distracted.
It was so good to meet her friend.
They caught up as if they had just seen each other yesterday.
Sharing stories, scrolling through pictures on their phones, such a nice afternoon.

She called to check on her baby the minute she got in the car.
He just fine. We’ve been having a wonderful time.
She was glad and she was not glad.
She missed him.

She talked to the toy on the front seat all the way home.
She talked about the smile that greets her each morning.
She talked about the cuddles as he lays his head in the crook of her shoulder.
She moved her scarf to look at the spit up stain in the rear view mirror.

She talked about the sounds he makes as he tries to talk to her.
She talked about the love in his eyes when he looks at her.
She talked about the new and exciting things he discovers each day.
She talked about the amazing, consuming, overwhelming love she has for her child.

The silent toy dutifully listened to her as she sorted out her heart.

Moments.
Simply moments.
Moments that no one else even knows about.
Moments that bring her so much joy.

Gratitude.
Simple gratitude.
Gratitude that even she didn’t know she had.
Gratitude that fills her up, completely.

She rushed to the house to greet her son.
He responded with every inch of his body moving in delight.
The afternoon was a respite; a revelation, a gift.
She sorted out her heart and counted her blessings.

Her stained shoulder, her soft stomach, her tired eyes…they are badges of honor.
She knows there will be days that she will complain.
She also knows that she wouldn’t trade her life for anything.
She has been given a precious gift to cherish.

The gift of ordinary moments.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

 

2 responses to “Moments”

1. You captured it….the life and often mixed emotions of a mom who enjoys being a mom…no make that a mom who cherishes, treasures, and thanks the Lord for the little ones He has entrusted to her and the many moments that make up each and every day.

   Reply

   • Nancy,
     There are mixed emotions as a mother sorts out her heart.
     The ordinary moments are a gift from God.
     The best place to put her heart is in HIS Hands.
     Gina

     Reply