September 23, 2009
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I Got Flowers.
I was on my last nerve Monday evening by the time Ben returned home. As in, not much patience left with a particular two-year-old, or with a slow internet, or any other thing, for that matter. Last nerve for sure, Ben was giving me strange side-glances when he thought I wasn’t looking. After supper, he man-handled (okay, refused to let me in the house) me and insisted I go run the few errands that were pending.
I ran into town to pick up the featherbed I had taken to the launders earlier in the day [the cat had been locked in the house accidentally on Sunday morning when we left for church, and when we got home we saw he had pooped AND peed right on our bed, soaking both sheets and going through to the featherbed. I was furious, and ready to have a cat's head...].
After I picked up the clean version, ever so thankful for laundromats, I stopped in at Walgreens, Dollar General, and Bealls Outlet for a few moments each. Just because I could. Just because I had coupons. Just because I didn’t have to unbuckle and rebuckle three people everytime I went somewhere.
It was delightful respite just to have a few moments alone. I do love my children with all of my heart, but I’ve been a big overwhelmed lately [post-partum blues?] and just needed a little break…
When I returned home, my little family was delighted to see me, and I them. An hour of solitude, albeit running errands, does wonders for the soul. Zoe had been wailing and grumpy, Ben said, but cheered immediately when I entered the door. I was rather surprised. I mean, she does that for her daddy, but I didn’t think mommy was that big a deal. You know how it is, you sometimes wonder if it would really matter if you’d just leave for a week.
And then I saw it. A little vase of flowers. And a little note.
Ben had taken the girlies on a little walk and picked some wildflowers and honeysuckle and put them in a quaint vase. They wrote a little note telling me sweet things that every mommy loves to hear, then set both the note and the flowers on the counter waiting for me when I arrived.
Wow. My family loves me. Even if I feel like I have had a rough week and have been impatient with Zoe. Even when I’m exhausted in the evenings. Even when it feels like I don’t have much to give. They’re happy to see me. They just like me, even when I feel so unlikeable!
The two following mornings the honeysuckle has been a delightful smell as I ready in the bathroom, but even more so is the memory of my precious little family, who love me despite the many times I fail. God is loving me through them…
Comments (20)
Clarita, thanks for your welcome home (on FB). It felt good being remembered!(:
I’m sorry you’ve been having a hard time lately! It sounds like you need to drop your girls off here for the day, and go do whatever your heart desires!! Love you and hope to see you tonight!
PS. Love your new profile pic….it’s so you!(:
aww! love this post, because I can so relate! the line about ‘been a bit overwhelmed lately’ sounds all too familiar. don’t be hard on yourself when you need to get away…like you found out, those few precious minutes can do so much to revive a weary mother’s soul! and to come home and realize that in spite of ourselves, our families love us…don’t you sometimes wonder what I did to deserve such a life? okay…ramblings…
hugs to you and hope the rest of the week is low-key, less wailing, less stressful!
~R
The flowers and note are so sweet. Made me think of this quote:
Roses say “I love you”
Orchids can enthrall,
But and hand-picked bunch
in a chubby fist?
Oh, my, that says it all!
Sorry, too, about the days full of sighs and weariness. You do have two little girls at ages that take a LOT of energy–especially Zoe. Praying for a restoring moment or two for you tomorrow.
Blessings to you Clarita as you wear your wife/mother hat!
Be encouraged, God’s chosen you for this amazing work,
not because you’re strong enough to accomplish it, but because
He sees you as a vessel He can pour His strength into. Loveya!
aw, that’s so sweet!
so sweet! just what i needed to hear this early exhausted morning.
I’m sitting here smiling and going awwwww…
You are very loved indeed.
OH that cat would have made me mad! I’m glad you were able to feel rejuvenated after your errands … blessings to you this week.
I soooo remember those days of just feeling totally stretched physically and emotionally. You are very much in the heat of motherhood with the ages of your girls but it does get easier…. believe me. I’m so glad you could get away awhile and I really think that part is underplayed in mother’s. I think it’s a MUST for mom’s to get away ALONE from time to time… even if it’s just a 20 minute walk. (and it need not be done with condemnation) It just does so much for our soul’s. And I often too found it soo amazing how my husband could sense without even my asking that I needed a break. What would we do without them?????
Blessings on your day today….
this post brought little tears to my eyes…I know just how you feel. My husband was kind enough to let me leave for an hour the other night too.
Can so relate to your post that it brought tears to my eyes! Saterday my husband stayed home with the boys while I did a little yardsaling in town. It was so nice! I think as a mom you need those little moments to yourself as much as you love your children.
Clarita. Wow. I just read completely through your whole post and i must first say when I get big and have my own house I think I will bring you in and have you creatively help me decorate it! That’s an incredible gift and talent.
I love your realness. I just see you embracing life-whatever your lot and not coating anything. I guess it makes beauty all the more beautiful when you see the struggle behind it…I think that makes sense. At least it does in my head
Take care~
That is adorable.
I want to cry. This is beautiful. You DO have a beautiful family
Oh and HI!
Aww. That’s so sweet!
beautiful… made me blink a couple of times…
I feel rather tired at the moment and short on words, but just wanted to say that I love both of these posts, can you please come visit me [and maybe do some decorating after we’re done talking and hanging out for about 20 hours, and since the previous suggestion isn’t happening any time soon, just please call me when you have a moment. =) I will call you soon too if my “moment” comes before yours does. Love you.
you are such an encouragement, and thanks for sharing your decorating ideas! even though some of us don’t have an ounce of creativity, it is so refreshing to see how you can make such a something out of not much of anything!
what a talent, and so blessed to see you use it in your tiny corner of the world! blessings to you today!
@foreveranoatneygirl - I liked your rambling. It all made perfect sense to me. Thank you!!
@twofus_1 - that is a SWEET little poem! I know you can relate so well to this stage. That feels really good to know there are other people who understand!
@mLou - those words were powerful to me – “not because I’m strong enough but because He sees me as a vessel He can use…” Thank you so much for that!
@singingrachel - Rachel. You’ve been where I’m at, I can tell. And if you come through this stage as peaceful and radiant as you are, then that gives me hope.
You’re so right about the moments away that can refresh us so so much!!
@tonyajgood - I hear your heart, and I think you heard mine too. Would love to get to know you better! I loved getting to know your sister Jen when we lived in PA!
@lonnasjoy - I know, I think it makes us better wives and mothers just to be able to have some moments of quiet in our soul and body…
@FOREVERLANE - I will call!! Maybe this morning yet.
@SharonYo - Sharon, you are so sweet. Your comment was so special! Thanks for your sweet words, although I don’t feel worthy!