Evidence

There are bits of styrofoam, leftover from a science project, on my kitchen countertop, and bits of fabric on the floor from making cheerleading T-shirts.  Half empty soda cans adorn far too many surfaces in the game room and far too many towels, jeans and other assorted items cover the floor. I do try to keep things picked up, but with work, extra curricular activities and just plain exhaustion, very rarely does everything get done. If you are a working mother, you probably know exactly what I am talking about.

I can’t complain, really.  I only work 30 hours per week, my husband is a great help to me and my children are wonderful, well respected kids.  However, there are times when things just don’t go as planned, and other times when I bring unneccesarry tasks upon myself.  For example, my daughter’s cheerleading squad had planned to decorate T-shirts one night this week.  I had known it was coming, but since it was a shared activity, I didn’t know enough details to plan ahead.  So, of we went to Hobby Lobby after school.  Once the T-shirts were aquired, we began searching for iron-on lettering (my daughter was dead set against painting this time).  Nothing was jumping out as “just right,” and then I got the grand idea to use fusible bonding and create the lettering myself, which led to the next task of finding fabric.  And, then, I got the bright idea to use tiny bows with which to dot each “i.” About a half hour later, we abandoned the search and tried another store.  Fabric and supplies secured, we headed home, but by then, it was time to think about dinner.  Thank goodness for Birdseye Chicken Alfredo frozen skillet meals!

As I meticulously traced and cut out each letter, laughing to myself, I wondered why I couldn’t have just dropped off my daughter with a couple of tubes of craft paint like everyone else?  But, I know why.  I love that girl, and she still wants to spend time with me, and these little extras are just ways I can show her how much that means to me.  I am spoiling her?  You bet, and I spoil my older daughter, too, when I get the chance.  Now that she is away at college, I know firsthand how quickly time flies, and how quiet the house can seem without her.  I am not wealthy, and I can’t do everything I would like to do, but I do what I can.  I have never heard of anyone nearing the end of life say, “I wish I hadn’t done so much for my kids,” or “I wish I hadn’t spent so much time with my family.”  So, for now, these little “evidences” of messy clutter remind me that my heart is as full as my calendar.