I have a friend who years ago titled her blog “A Beautiful Mess.” Her phrase often comes back to me in the midst of the crazy moments of our days, where time also somehow stands still. Having read another slicer’s reflections on their morning routine yesterday, I was especially attentive to the slivers of beauty that run through our crazy mornings.
* * * * * “Mommy, rub my fuzzy friends on my face,” Adam says with eyes squeezed shut. I willingly oblige, soaking in this cuddly part of the first moments of his day. “Buenos días, Mommy,” Nathan adds as he rolls over stretching to his full length. “Alright, which friends are reading with us today?” I ask, knowing it will be the same as every other day this week. Sure enough, wooly mammoth, snow leopard, tiger, and taggie are hand selected from between the twisted sheets. * * * * * I hustle the boys off my bed, urging them to the next (and always the slowest) part of the morning. “Potty and clothes, boys. Let’s go.” The game I play daily with Adam to get him from one room to the next is not one I particularly appreciate. But the hug he rewards me with upon bending down to put his shirt on is. “Do you like my tight hug?” he asks. I squeeze back a little tighter, “Son mis favoritos.” * * * * * “Adam, your zapatos aren’t on right! Izquierdo, Derecha. Let me help you,” Nathan says bending down by his brother. I pause, soaking in the brotherly love, knowing at some point they’ll be back to bickering, teasing, and taunting each other. * * * * * We rapid fire our way through Nathan’s checklist. “Water bottle. Mask on your lanyard. Ipad in your backpack. Lunch box attached to your bag. Shoes? Coat? Alright, grab it all. Off you go. Hop in Papi’s car. Have a great day!” He tugs his backpack into place and heads to the door. I turn my back, packing Adam and my lunchboxes for our ride to daycare and work. “Mommy?” I pivot to see that Nathan has stopped at the door and turned to face me. “Yeah, Bud?” “I love you.” I freeze the moment in my mind. “I love you too, Honey. Have a good day. I’ll see you after school.” He waves and bounds out the door. * * * * * I usher Adam out to the garage, bags in my hand, his friends in his. Opening doors and shoving bags into their designated spots, I watch Adam run to the driveway. He breathes in and blows out. Huge grin on his face, he twists to face me. “You was right! It’s a Dragon’s Breath Day!” He turns his face back to the crisp air, exhaling and watching his breath form clouds. He is consumed with pure delight. “Alright, into the car, Pumpkin,” I say and he comes running. He jumps and chops the air with his friends, all joy and energy this Friday morning. * * * * * They are long, repetitive mornings. Alarms, wake-ups, wardrobe changes, struggles over the bathroom, breakfasts, bags, lunches, the mad dash to make it out the door to four different locations at once. But many days, I’m reminded just how beautiful this mess called life is.
3 Comments
Holly Mueller
3/12/2021 09:02:04 pm
What a beautiful post! It makes me remember my 25 year old and 28 year old and their sleepy, stuffed animal, little girl lives. You described it beautifully!
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Terje
3/13/2021 02:42:09 am
You caught what matters: tight hugs and I-love-yous.
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3/13/2021 11:52:13 am
You capture these moments so, so beautifully! And yes, they are really hard, but it sounds like you are staying focused on the important stuff-- stories and love!
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AuthorHeidi. Archives
March 2022
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