I'm writing this after a 14 1/2 hour shift. I didn't get paid for the work I did today. I just barely got a couple of potty breaks. I sweated. I supervised. And now, I stink.
Today, there was blood. I bandaged a smashed toe, a tweaked toe-nail. I wiped her tears, rocked her at my breast. I comforted, I cooked, I cried. I prayed for strength.
There was poop. Then again, there is always poop, rain or shine. But today it was sunny. On sunny days, they like to run naked like wild banshees. And I let them.
I lifted, carried, stacked, organized, cleaned. We ate.
I argued with my husband about the proper tending of a tweaked toe-nail. He said Neosporin and Band-aid. I said antibacterial spray and a Band-aid.
We compromised. Except the Band-aid kept coming off, so. Maybe he was right.
We forgave each other and he made me laugh. I kissed him at least five times today.
I had a serious conversation with a child. Being honest means not exploiting loop-holes, son. He said he wants to be a lawyer. Figures. Still. Honesty. I'm serious, son. There will be serious consequences if I catch you lying again.
"Is inflating facts lying?"
"Nice phrasing," I say.
"Yes," says Dad, stepping in. "Be clear on your facts or else they're not facts."
Excellent job, Daddy!
"Gotcha," says son.
There was also a Choking Incident today. She popped a lid in her mouth. Started choking, chubby hands flying up to her mouth. Daddy scooped it out.
Another disaster averted.
But the school science project almost got ruined. It was melting to death on the front porch. I saved it.
Later, we tried to watch a movie together as a family. But it did not pass muster. I turned it off. Sorry, guys. Inappropriate content. Who rented this? DADDY.
"What?" he says. "I watched this movie when I was a kid!"
"My point exactly," I say.
"That's true," he grins. "Sorry, kids! Bedtime!"
Kisses, prayers and just one more drink of water?
And now, now I'm exhausted. It was a hard, long shift.
But it was a good day. A very good day, indeed.
[Many heartfelt thanks to our American veterans for their service. Their sacrifice provides the freedom and safety that allows me to have such beautifully ordinary days like today. Happy Memorial Day.]
