I first wrote this fun little piece in February, 2014 -- nearly a decade ago! I was reflecting on the days when my babies were young and my life was very busy. At that time, I appreciated that I actually had a minute to sit and read or enjoy a hot cup of coffee because three of my four children had graduated high school & spread their wings, and #4 was only six short years from leaving the nest, too!
I'm not sure why it popped back into my memory of late -- perhaps because I have to face the reality that #4 is beginning senior year of college and really ready to fly!!! I am amazed that I was able to find my original story, so here it is with a few, minor edits!
I hope you enjoy this -- especially if you are a mom using one of those precious minutes to read my blog!
If You Give a Mom a Minute....
Moms are busy, constantly running from here to there, and barely have a minute to themselves. But, sometimes Mom gets a break when the children have a playdate.
So, with the kids away and safe for an entire hour, Mom decides to embrace the quiet and sit down to relax for a minute.
If you give a Mom a minute, she may think, “I will sit down and relax before getting to the long list of chores that await.”
That’s when she sits in her favorite chair, puts her feet up, and grabs her favorite book.
But, she realizes that she doesn’t have her reading glasses, so she will walk to the kitchen to retrieve her glasses from the counter.
That’s when she decides to make a hot cup of coffee to enjoy while she relaxes in her favorite chair with her favorite book.
But, when she reaches for her coffee cup, she will see all the dirty breakfast dishes piled in the sink.
That’s when she decides to quickly do the dishes before she relaxes in her favorite chair with her favorite book.
But, when she begins filling the sink with soapy water, she will see there is some dirt and crumbs on the floor.
That’s when she decides to sweep the floor before she washes the dishes.
But, when she heads to the broom closet to get the broom, she will see the stack of mail that hasn’t yet been opened.
That’s when she decides to quickly open the mail before she sweeps the floor.
But, when she opens the first envelope, she gets a paper cut and it starts to bleed.
That’s when she runs to the bathroom medicine cabinet to get a bandage before she opens the rest of the mail.
But, when she is putting the bandage on her finger, she will notice the dirty clothes hamper is full.
That’s when she decides to start a load of laundry before she goes back to her original plan and relax in her favorite chair with her favorite book for just a minute.
But, when she is carrying the laundry to the washer, she will see the sink full of soapy water.
That’s when she sets down the hamper to wash the dirty dishes before she puts on a load of laundry.
But, when she stands at the sink ready to take care of the dishes, she will see the unopened mail again.
That’s when she decides to finish opening the mail before she cleans the dirty dishes.
But, when she picks up the mail and a letter falls to the floor, she will see those crumbs that are still on the floor.
That’s when she decides to quickly sweep the floor before she finishes opening the mail and washing the dishes and doing the laundry.
But, when she reaches for the broom to sweep the floor, she will see her cup of coffee which is no longer hot.
That’s when she remembers that she was planning to spend a quiet minute sitting in her favorite chair with her favorite book before doing the chores, so she sits down to relax for a minute.
But, when sits down, opens her book, and begins reading the first sentence of the first paragraph on the first page, the children come rushing in the door!
They yell, “Did you miss us, Mom? We are hungry! Can you make us some lunch, please?”
That’s when Mom leans back in her favorite chair, and laughs at all that has happened in that hour, and she says,
“Hold on, Mom just needs a minute.”
NOTE: I found a few blogs and a couple of books with the same or similar title when I searched online out of curiosity. Mine is different, and predates most of them. But, all humorously reflect on the same experience of being a busy mom, and written in the spirit of the beloved children's book:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by: Laura Joffe Numeroff
Brings back memories for me. A mother's jobs are neverending. But being a Mom is a joy.
Lovely reflection ! Certainly summarizes and brings to light many of the issues that Mom’s face on a daily basis ! Very valid today even after all of those years !
Still such wisdom for them and looking back from today.