Yesterday, Mother's Day, I spent it doing exactly as I wanted. Mostly alone. One daughter was away with her boyfriend, arriving later on in the day. Two daughters slept late -- after noon. The youngest went on a boat with her dad. I folded the laundry that had become my nemesis. I am not convinced that when my time comes and I pass that they will not find me buried under the mountains of laundry. If, for any reason, I should disappear -- look under the laundry. Chances are high that you'll find me, or at the very least, a clue as to whose room I might be buried under.
I puttered around the house. I ran to Wal-Mart and the grocery store without children. You're getting the point, probably shaking your head, wondering how I finagled this. I make it known that the only thing I wanted for Mother's Day was that we all make a large salad together for dinner, after six o'clock.
Then, I did my most favorite thing that I do for my children, though it may not be their favorite thing that I do. I washed all their sheets and comforters and I made their beds. Yes, the can and do periodically, though rarely, do this themselves, I love doing it for them. It's almost like the last way I can tuck them in bed. The older they get the more joy I get. I can't tuck my 20 year old in bed. Can't pull her into my lap before bed, though I occasionally try. I can't "chew" on my 18 year olds chin to make her giggle, though I have been known to do this as well. Goodness knows, I cannot get close enough to my 14 year old to do anything, though every once in a while I'll feel lanky arms around my body, and a chin on my chest. Then the six year old, who will cuddle, but usually has guinea pig shavings in her bed. She's willing to sleep among the lovely pieces of the loves of her life, but it makes it kind of itchy for us to lay down.
So, I wash and wash some more. Sheets and comforters are the only thing that goes into the washing machine, dryer and then out again and put away immediately. I stretch the bottom sheet over the mattress, smoothing it out as I go. If they use a top sheet, I tuck in the bottom, fold down the top. I wave the quilt out a few times over the bed, and lay it down on the bed just so. I want it lay down invitingly. The pillow cases go on the feather bed pillows, and all is propped up. Stuffed animals are placed back on the bed and I stand back and admire my handiwork.
Then I hope, and I imagine that when they get in bed that night that they feel the coolness of the sheets on their feet, and the pillow envelopes their heads. I imagine they pull their blankets up to their chin, and quite frankly, I imagine them sighing, feeling like their day was wonderful, and there is more tomorrow. I hope they know that they are truly loved, merely by the clean, freshly made beds. That I've managed to tuck them in, even as they grow up.
I puttered around the house. I ran to Wal-Mart and the grocery store without children. You're getting the point, probably shaking your head, wondering how I finagled this. I make it known that the only thing I wanted for Mother's Day was that we all make a large salad together for dinner, after six o'clock.
Then, I did my most favorite thing that I do for my children, though it may not be their favorite thing that I do. I washed all their sheets and comforters and I made their beds. Yes, the can and do periodically, though rarely, do this themselves, I love doing it for them. It's almost like the last way I can tuck them in bed. The older they get the more joy I get. I can't tuck my 20 year old in bed. Can't pull her into my lap before bed, though I occasionally try. I can't "chew" on my 18 year olds chin to make her giggle, though I have been known to do this as well. Goodness knows, I cannot get close enough to my 14 year old to do anything, though every once in a while I'll feel lanky arms around my body, and a chin on my chest. Then the six year old, who will cuddle, but usually has guinea pig shavings in her bed. She's willing to sleep among the lovely pieces of the loves of her life, but it makes it kind of itchy for us to lay down.
So, I wash and wash some more. Sheets and comforters are the only thing that goes into the washing machine, dryer and then out again and put away immediately. I stretch the bottom sheet over the mattress, smoothing it out as I go. If they use a top sheet, I tuck in the bottom, fold down the top. I wave the quilt out a few times over the bed, and lay it down on the bed just so. I want it lay down invitingly. The pillow cases go on the feather bed pillows, and all is propped up. Stuffed animals are placed back on the bed and I stand back and admire my handiwork.
Then I hope, and I imagine that when they get in bed that night that they feel the coolness of the sheets on their feet, and the pillow envelopes their heads. I imagine they pull their blankets up to their chin, and quite frankly, I imagine them sighing, feeling like their day was wonderful, and there is more tomorrow. I hope they know that they are truly loved, merely by the clean, freshly made beds. That I've managed to tuck them in, even as they grow up.
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