For this week's article, I will be relaying something that happened in my world yesterday and the thought processes it got me going on. It was a reminder to me about not only how important my role is as a mother, but it's also something that can remind us all that, often times, it's those little things that truly matter to those we love and care about.
Grab a cuppa and take a read. :-)
Yesterday, 22nd December, was my daughter's last day of school before Winter Break and her class had earned a pajama party for the occasion. The children got to wear their pajamas and were allowed to bring one stuffed animal with them for the day. Needless to say, my six year old was quite excited. *grin* I helped her get ready for our day and, thinking we had everything together in her backpack, we made our way to the city bus stop. We were nearing the school when it dawned on me that we had forgotten her toy of choice, her little kitty named Kitty. A happy beam of sunshine then became a sad little girl. She wanted to turn the bus around and go back home to go get her, but that, of course, was not possible. She really wanted me to go get her kitty for her.
As we walked to her school, my head started going through the bus times and what it would entail for me to do this seemingly simple task. I saw that it would set my whole day back about an hour, which I really couldn't afford to do. With all else that I had to do today (which also involved time on buses), doing this would take time from my commitments to myself (ie: this blog, my singing), and I've been faltering on them as it was. Somehow I was torn, and I felt guilty for it. When my little sweetie was settled at school for breakfast, I began giving her hugs and kisses goodbye. She looked at me with sad eyes and said, "Please get me my kitty." I told her that we'll see and that I loved her.
On the way home, I relayed the situation over to the bus driver whom we see every morning (she's a truly awesome lady, I must say), feeling like a horrible mom to even have this personal battle. It felt so selfish. Of all the things this lovely driver said to me, what stuck most was her telling me that it was those little things that kids remember the most. When I got home I, of course, immediately searched for Kitty and put her by my coat until it was time to catch the next bus back to the school. When I got to there, the secretary called my daughter to the office. Her face lit up when she saw I was there. "Kitty!!" She was once again the happy ray of sunshine she had been earlier. After kisses and hugs she went back to her classroom, skipping the whole way.
As I went on about my day, I got to wondering how I could have even been so torn over the whole thing. I knew the moment that I realized we had forgotten her toy that I'd have to go back home to get it, so why all the turmoil and selfishness? Why did I make it so hard? What was the matter with me? Did this make me a bad mother?
It seems to me that things like this happen to all of us. None of us are perfect or infallible, and we often lose sight of what matters most sometimes. It's part of being human. This situation didn't make me a bad mother nor do situations similar make those going through them bad people. It's all part of our learning and growth, and completely necessary sometimes.
It also seems to me that, when these situations arise, it always involves people that we love and care about, testing us in our commitment to them (in this instance, my commitment to my daughter). In a way, it's about our commitments to ourselves, too, but it underlines which ones are the most important. I was reminded today that I made a commitment to be the best mom that I can be and that I must always remember this.
With all the hustle and bustle of life, we can get so wrapped up in ourselves and our own needs and wants that, without intending to, we forget things like this. Family, friends and friends like family, the people that brighten our days, the people that take the time for us... They are all important and they all matter, often times more than we realize. Those little things that they do matter to us, do they not? Wouldn't it be logical, then, that the little things that we do matter to them, too? I wonder if we get caught up in thinking that the big things are what matter most and forget about the details. Sure, the big things may seem to make a greater impact, but, as it was shown to me yesterday, those little things can make even greater ripples in the hearts of those we love.
Maybe this holiday and in the New Year we can make a point to remember these things. Take the time for those you care about and who care about you, even if it's just a phone call to say 'hello'. Remember those birthdays and anniversaries, and remember those important events. Be there for a loved one when they are feeling down or ill. Slow down and really spend quality moments with your family, leaving the rushing and busy ways behind for a while. Really make a point to show people that you value them, no matter who they are or where they may be. Even the small ways you do this can really make a person feel special and loved.
This time of year always seems to have a way of showing us what's more important, and I find it sad that we tend to forget it as the year goes on. Maybe we can do our best to remember this time.
Take care, everyone, and Happy Holidays. :-)
~*aquadonia*~
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