Nothing Like Motherhood

There is nothing like motherhood to keep you grounded. There I was standing next to two US Senators to give a small statement. Next I am off to a luncheon to receive an award previously given to the likes of Colin Powell, Ruby Dee and Vice President Al Gore. Then right in the middle of the luncheon I get a text from my son saying 'I got pink eye'.

Now, pops is home with him. Took him to the doctor and everything. But he needed me to know. I sent him as as much love as I could from 2,000 miles a way. Electronic communication lacks warms though. I felt bad.

I AM comfort to him. I AM in charge of healthcare. I AM the woman who deals with all of the gross stuff. I AM a mother. I AM never off duty.

There was no milk in the house when I got home. I could see 'please make me a meal' in the sad puppy eyes of my youngest son. But my plane was late and it was 11:00 at night and I had just spent all my energy doing my job.

Next morning though I got up and went shopping. I put on my doctors's hat and soothed the older one. Hubby must have felt a little bad though, because for the first time n 20 years, he made dinner while I was here and available. (Or maybe it was because I made an uncharacteristic comment when he asked me how I was feeling - I believe it was something to the effect of "I'm really in an 'I don't give a s***' kind of mood") My husband is all man but he's no fool.

Part of this is my fault though. I keep handling all the home stuff without letting him 'take over'. First, because I knew what I was doing and had been doing it for years and wanted to make sure it was done 'right' - which usually means my way. But also because I always felt that he felt the home front stuff was demeaning. I think he's getting past that now. I think he sees how important and difficult being in charge of home is.

Or maybe I've just gotten a little bitchy. Not necessarily a place one wants to go but if used sparingly and distributed appropriately ....