When I was in college, I would often fly from Cleveland Hopkins International to Midway and was ALWAYS delayed. This was in the days before smart phones. My mom would often leave the house to pick me up before I would even have the chance to call and tell her I was delayed. So began her waiting for me. She always brought a book and she never seemed to mind. “I’m your mom,” she’d say. “I’m not going to leave you here.”
Sunday was quite the eventful day. I woke up to my eldest with a very high fever. I told my husband it was not worth it to head out to breakfast before my class in the city. We decided to take it easy that morning and I planned to hit the grocery store to try and get ahead for Monday.
I left my oldest and youngest home with my husband while my middle child and I headed to the grocery store. On the way there, I called my mom to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day and ask her about my oldest. We both agreed that he either had a virus or strep. We decided it was best continue the meds and fluids until tomorrow. After all it was Sunday and getting an appointment would be murder. Plus, it had only been a few hours of a fever. “Thanks Mom, call you later.”
Going to the grocery store was chaotic, but honestly, I loved having the alone time with my son as we picked out all of our favorite fruits and picked out treats for the kids at home. We ran into my aunt and uncle and exchanged big Mother’s Day hugs. It was a wonderful treat.
I arrived home to unload groceries and serve up some brunch. My husband cleaned up the dishes and started some laundry while I finished up some things for class. The kids were playing when BAM! My youngest daughter, who was dancing, slipped and fell,and busted her lip open. So. Much. Blood!
I carefully and gently looked in her mouth and saw all teeth were intact. (Whew!) After my husband and I cleaned her up, I carefully applied pressure and ice, and talked to my daughter gently asking her questions while every so often peeking in her mouth to see if she was okay. While holding her in my arms, I called my mom, “Happy Mother’s Day again, Caroline busted her lip.” We chatted and Mom reassured me that she was fine and no stitches were needed, but probably a popsicle. “Thanks Mom. Oh can you pick me up at the Mokena station later? That way Brian doesn’t have to wake the kids to get me? Thanks. Call you later.”
After a Mother’s Day lunch, a long commute into the city, a long class and meeting, I made it to the train. While on the train, it was delayed. TWICE! I was on a quiet car and hate when people violate “the rule.” Plus, my mom doesn’t text. I texted Brian and asked him to call my mom and tell her I’d be about 20 minutes late.
I sat in the quiet car and laughed. It was quite the Mother’s Day for both of us.
When I finally got off the train, I said, “Sorry I was late, mom.” Without missing a beat she said, “I’m your mom. I’m not going to leave you here.”
I gave her the card Brian, the kids and I signed for her and hoped she had a nice day. She said she had a wonderful day talking to all of her kids and grandkids.
In the last 48 hours I have had to reflect on my Mother’s Day. By the commercial standards of Mother’s Day it was kind of a train wreck (pun intended), but being a mom isn’t perfect. It isn’t supposed to be. As my mom would say, “I’m your mom. I’m not going to leave you here.”
I’m not going to leave motherhood behind just because it isn’t always breakfast in bed. I would rather fix a fever and a busted lip, and head to the grocery shop on Mother’s Day than not have the opportunity to be a mother.
Hope you all had a perfectly imperfect Mother’s Day too!
