If I've ever wondered if my family could function without me (and, I have)...now I know. The answer is....yes...kind of.
After spending a week away from home helping my mom recover from surgery I have come to a few other conclusions, too. For instance, despite the sassiness and selfishness that sometime come from Garrett, I was showered in loving compliments and favorite food offerings when I came home. It was reassuring to confirm that he still loves his mommy more than his Legos and junk food. And that Blake, the oldest, is and will probably always be the responsible, dependable one- making sure the twins are safe and pointing out to Garrett when he's breaking the rules. Speaking of rules...I get the sense they've come to appreciate at least some of them. Like going to bed at a decent hour...and possibly even chores (okay, that might be a stretch). Or maybe I'm just thinking of Brian who ended up doing most the household chores himself. And judging from how agreeable the boys were to going back to eating "normally", I think they secretly missed their fruits and vegetables.
As for the twins, they love their daddy, their grandma and grandpa, their cousins (and everyone else who chipped in to help), but no one can take the place of mommy. I got gigantic smiles, happy dances, huge kisses and extra tight hugs for the hours after I returned. With such innocent and pure expressions of love, it's hard to feel anything but love and gratitude. Despite the Crayola hieroglyphics on the wall. And, finally, my husband openly admitted that the family NEEDS me. He even did his best to catch up on laundry, clean the house and try to put things back together before I came home...now that's love!
On my end, I missed everyone terribly but somehow found comfort in still being a care-taker. I missed giving raspberries on Chase's chubby cheeks...Ella's quirkiness and wardrobe creations... Garrett's smile and silly sayings...and Blake's sweetness and endless curiosity. And of course Brian's loving support and reassuring hugs at the end of the day that keep me going. I have to admit, it was nice to actually a read a book cover to cover and sit down for a meal uninterrupted, but I came to miss the noise, the commotion and even the controlled chaos. Did I just say that out loud? Somehow sticky hands, diaper changes and belly laughs are still my preference.
Thanks to the family for working together in my absence and enduring the chaos while I was away. And...now we know. WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment