Happy Wednesday Affirmations

It's hard to complain about the buckets of mulch, twigs, burrs and dead leaves he drags in on his moppy fur when he looks this darn cute. So my floors are awful. I'm lucky to have such problems, right?

Just like with the kids, I can't remember what I did with myself before he took up most of my attention during the day: let me in let me out play with me thirsty hungry whatchaeating play with me let me in let me out. He does have his perks, besides being cute. He protects me fiercly, he cracks me up, he makes me go out and play, take long walks in the woods, and he snuggles me when I'm cold or sad. Fair trade.

The kids take what's left in the evening: wheresmy didyouseemy ineed helpmestudy readtome hungry thirsty thisneedswashed ineedaride wheresthekleenex imsad scratchmyback hugmeonemoretime iloveyous we cram between school and sports and bed. We are all tired lately, and rightly so, as we rush through busy days.

And my poor husband gets what's left if he's not already snoring in bed: the exhausted, cranky shell of the girl he married 24 years ago, whose aches and pains and hot flashes and odd dreams and rampant thoughts ruin most night's sleep, wound so tight she's in no mood if he is still awake. I drag my glass of water, my glasses, the newspaper or book I meant to read yesterday, crawl into bed and count the hours until I have to get up and begin the Mommy show again. Before he has to get up and go make the doughnuts, as we say. I think my job has more perks, even if I am on call 24-7.

But it's still a fair trade, it's just a matter of perspective, isn't it? There are moments of cute and lovely and pure perfection in the backscratches, and the cramming for tests and the bringing of snacks and the hugs. Even the drudgery of the laundry and the dishes and the shopping is bearable if I think of the nurturing and love behind it, if I think of this as my vocation, my calling and my career, for now. I may no longer cash a check for my labors, but I do have a very important job, and I'm trying my best, even if my best feels like a gerbil wheel and often falls short of my ideals. I keep showing up every day, ready to work, trying to get it right, and I know that counts for something. And I also know that these days are fleeting, each one is a gift, even the ones that kindof suck. Like my Dad always said, beats the alternative. Thanks, Dad. Right, and to the point, as usual.

Have a happy Wednesday. I recommend sloppy puppy kisses and a good game of fetch, if all else fails.

ps I really meant to do a Wordless Wednesday, but I guess Wordless isn't in my vocabulary...