Give Me Just A Minute

Considering the content of last week’s post, I really wanted to give you something more light-hearted in context this week. But as life tends to go, I have found myself in between a rock and a hard place this week. I’m just gonna dive in and we will see where this thing goes.

Let’s talk a teething toddler, end of year school exams, doctors appointments and a pile of laundry bigger than I am. That has been my week in a nutshell. The baby is teething something fierce and I have not slept in two days. I homeschool my kids and their exams were scheduled for yesterday but because my toddler was glued to my hip and completely out of sorts, the exams have been postponed. Today I have a doctor’s appointment I had forgotten about and would really rather not go to. I have not darted the door of the laundry room all week because I haven’t been able to.

Last night I did something I said I’d never do. I went to the grocery store in my pajamas, Tylenol-crusted hair and braless. (Let me explain the crusty hair. My baby spit out Tylenol onto my hair and I did not have time to wash it out before the demands of going to the grocery store hit.) It gets worse. My son’s prom date was at the store and saw me in all my glory. She sweetly smiled and waved from a distance but disbelief was all over her face. Last night was the pinnacle of my “run-down raggedness.” Anybody else ever experience this too?

Right now, however, I am sipping my coffee. My baby is happily eating Fruit Loops. (No judgement please…She.Is.Happy!) The sun is out. The skies are blue and maybe for the next few minutes the house will be quiet. I have a few hours before my appointment so I’m choosing to soak in the silence and the calm. It’s a much needed break from the crazy.

At some point today…or maybe tomorrow, I’ll tackle that laundry pile. As of now, everyone has clean underwear and towels and I am content with that. There are days that urgent matters outweigh my to-do list. There are days that I can’t seem to do anything I’d like to do. My hours are spent meeting demands until suddenly, the day is gone.

I called my sister recently and noticed she was whispering. Curious, I asked why she was whispering. She said she was hiding from her kids, eating a snack in the closet. I totally get that!! Sometimes we need to start a game of “Hide and Seek” and hide really well!…maybe take some chocolate to the hiding spot while we wait to be found. What a great way to regain composure!

Writing this post is my one moment for the day and that’s fine by me. I need these few moments. You need a minute too. I jokingly tell my kids all the time that I am not Super Woman. I have no special powers or abilities. I’m just trying to get through my day like everyone else. But in the “getting through” it’s important to find moments to breathe, smile and then carry on. I know myself. I know the warning signs of “slow down” or “stop!” I know when I am barely getting by. You know yourself too. Don’t wait until you get to “empty” to fill up. Do not deplete yourself or deny yourself the precious gift of time. One minute…it will do wonders. So sneak away, hide in the closet with some chocolate, take a breather then get back to it.

This “minute” is coming to an end because my sweet girl is letting me know she’s done with being in the high chair. Her “Chewbacca” cry is her warning to me that this Mama has had enough of a breather. Friends, taking a little time-out for yourself is not a bad thing. It’s healthy. Take that minute today. Recharge yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Hey girls! Remember you are uniquely made on purpose, for a purpose and for such a time as this. Until next week…