This morning was tough.
She did not cooperate in any way, shape, or form. I will spare you the details, but to get in the car without yelling at her was a giant task for me.
The problem: a tired, flustered mom and a tired, teething toddler..
A toddler who is maybe wishing she didn't have to be with someone else all day while Mom works..
A mom feeling beyond frustrated that every morning's struggle seems less-than resolved as I leave her in a hurry, smeared in yogurt because she had to hold the spoon herself, and drive away..
At work I change to a different role.. but at five o'clock it's time to change back in to the Mom role and be patient, loving, and energized again.
Today my coworker Olivia had the best thought about this.
Although it is hard, hard, hard to leave her for work, the moments I do have with her are the sweetest, not taken for granted, and maybe more special than they would be for moms who are with their children every day.
Tonight, before I put her in her crib, we were lying in bed singing together for ten minutes. We sang the "Hallelujah" song (Think Shrek) dramatically together with much giggling.
I sang a hymn which she repeated in a toddler language that is pretty magical to a mother, but most people can't understand.
I prayed and this was my little echo:
"Dear God"
"Deah Dod."
"Thank you for Mama"
"Tank tu fo Mama"
"Thank you for Avalon"
"Tank tu fo Awon"
"In Jesus Name, Amen."
"Aaaamen!"
I'm thankful.
