March Slice of Life Story Challenge
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"I don't want to lose all those moments when they do need me."
Yesterday I worried about my girls being too independent.
Then I heard a little voice calling my name in the middle of the night.
I slipped on my glasses, carefully climbed out of bed, and tiptoed into the girls' room to let M. know I was there.
"Shhh...baby. What do you need?" I whispered as I brushed her hair off her face.
"Mommy, my ears hurt," M. cried reaching out for me.
I quickly picked her up and carried her to our bedroom not wanting to wake my other little sleeper. I softly dropped into the glider that I sat in daily almost four years ago with newborn babies -- when they needed me for everything.
I rocked her. We snuggled. I whispered in her ear. We embraced. I was there to comfort her.
She still needed me.
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After the 2 a.m. wake up, we all drifted back to sleep. M. went back into her own bed and slept until morning. Waking up (again) after her sister.
Today I took her to the doctor to learn that she has a double ear infection. Poor thing.
In this same day, where I was concerned about my girls growing their independence, I was needed again. (You were all right!)
And that was a good feeling.
"I don't want to lose all those moments when they do need me."
I love that last line.
ReplyDeleteWhen you write, it is so easy to see everything.
Poor baby.....but those are the moments. Celebrate the independence, but "take advantage" of being needed.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the emotion pouring out of this post. You write very powerfully! I felt like I was right there in the middle of your writing---rocking and consoling a child right along with you. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOHHHH such a little trooper . . . can you imagine how much that must hurt? But your love was able to take the pain away so she could sleep . . . priceless!
ReplyDeleteI love all the details you share, Michelle, so sweet. I'm glad you went to the doctor too-ear infections are not good. And you can count on that being needed for a long while.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you will always be needed regardless of how independent they get. Poor M. I know what we went through when you had ear infections - not a fun time. You were needed and you were there to comfort her. Hugs to all of you! Love ya, Mom
ReplyDeleteThe back and forth of independence and need continue all the way through their teens and into their twenties! ;-) I love these lines: "I quickly picked her up and carried her to our bedroom not wanting to wake my other little sleeper. I softly dropped into the glider that I sat in daily almost four years ago with newborn babies -- when they needed me for everything." I love it because I remember MY glider during those baby days!
ReplyDeleteYour post brought me back -- it seems like a long time since our boys had nights like that -- and the emotional tug and pull is so powerful.
ReplyDeleteKevin
Those moments when they need you become more cherished, more special. Speaking from experience (a grown daughter with little needy ones of her own), they will always need you. I love the short sentences (I rocked her. We snuggled.....)
ReplyDeletePoor child to have an ear infection. Lucky child to have you to comfort her. Mimm still needs me. The bigger girls don't necessarily need me, but I know I am wanted and that is a good feeling too.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of you in the rocker with your daughter. Can't wait for that!
ReplyDeleteYes, the wonderful thing is that you will always be needed by them. Small or grown. But you will miss the rocking chair snuggles. I know that.
ReplyDeleteA lovely slice of a mother's life - the push and pull of wanting them to fly, and wanting them to nest.
ReplyDeleteWe had many days with ear infections! Not that there is anything good about our children being sick, I did love those moments with snuggles and hugs and sleeping in my lap...feeling needed as a mom!
ReplyDeleteAhhh...
ReplyDeleteUGH, ear infections can be so painful and frustrating. Good that you were there to comfort and love her. Made it all better.
ReplyDeletePoor M! I hope her ears feel better soon! Glad the glider is still there for a comfy moment!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning that no matter how old they get, they never get to the "don't need you" stage. And the older they get, the bigger the issues. I wish I could drop into a chair and rock all of my boys' issues away.
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