There are plenty of things you did wrong. You fussed at your son for his bad attitude. Then, when the fever hit, you realized it was only because he was getting sick. You forgot to pack quarters in your daughter’s lunch for Ice Cream Friday. You didn’t take either child out enough for one-on-one time. You missed the ‘magic early windows’ for learning an instrument and a second language.
But there, there. Thirty-eight years ago, on May 3, 2011, you did a strange and wonderful thing. The children were just seven and five years old. When you picked them up from school, you said “Welcome home!” as they climbed into the back seat. “It’s not home, it’s the car, Silly,” your daughter corrected. Then you passed back two cold jam jars filled with strawberries and cream.
Now back to bed.
Little things matter
Perhaps more than grand things do
Love, gone to seed, grows
Guilt !! Guilt !! Guilt !! Our memory nags us year in and year out with those things
“We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;: And we have done those things which we ought not to have done;: And there is no health in us. …” The words of contrition are especially wrought for our self flagellation. MEANWHILE, the strawberries and cream are such a glorious distraction. You get a pass, momma – we DO teach our children, too, about forgiving and forgetting.
Love. So much. I needed this. Thank you.
love it.