by Anita S. Lane
The life of a mom or dad is filled with sacrifices. Some are major, but most are small ordinary “pleasures” that we yield in order to accommodate and nurture the precious life of another human being from infancy through adulthood.
Yes, we do it willingly, and we don’t often complain, but neither do we forget—pleasures like late-night dates, sleeping in, stroller-free travel, hanging out with the guys or the gals, exercise (or sex) on a dime, exotic couples-only vacations, and gourmet meals at your favorite chíc restaurant.
However, I recently had a conversation with a mother of six—whose children are now grown—and the one simple sentence she shared with me reminded me to be thankful for the basics.
My physical being was engrossed in one big expression of exhaustion (i.e., yawn) as I approached the library check out counter with my three young boys trailing behind.
“Whew…pardon me!” I said, not wanting the librarian to think she had anything to do with the cause for my yawn.
“It’s okay. It’s Friday,” the librarian said.
I responded, “Yes, I made it through the first week of my new schedule waking up at 5:30am to workout each morning—and it’s finally catching up with me,” I gave as the excuse for my weary demeanor.
Her head tilted as she looked at me knowingly and smiled. “I used to have to get up at 5:30 a.m. for a long time,” she recounted. I just assumed she had to go to work early each morning. But her reason was very different.
She continued, “I’ve always said that I had to wake up at 5:30 each morning in order to get hot water and dry towels.”
“Really?” I chuckled, looking bewildered.
“Yes. I had six kids.”
“Oh,” I replied.
I had nothing else to say. How could I respond? One can always find things to complain about, but some things in life are just essential. So, I extend this lesson to all my fellow moms who may be reading this. No, you may not always get the break from the kids that you want. You may not enjoy weekly spa treatments or even a night out with your husband as often as you’d like. But do you have hot water and dry towels? Uh, do you? Think about it… You probably do. Now isn’t God good?
Life definitely is not a bowl of cherries. We have to learn how to count our blessings and in everything give thanks—for our lives, our health, our families, and yes—hot water and dry towels.
The life of a mom or dad is filled with sacrifices. Some are major, but most are small ordinary “pleasures” that we yield in order to accommodate and nurture the precious life of another human being from infancy through adulthood.
Yes, we do it willingly, and we don’t often complain, but neither do we forget—pleasures like late-night dates, sleeping in, stroller-free travel, hanging out with the guys or the gals, exercise (or sex) on a dime, exotic couples-only vacations, and gourmet meals at your favorite chíc restaurant.
However, I recently had a conversation with a mother of six—whose children are now grown—and the one simple sentence she shared with me reminded me to be thankful for the basics.
My physical being was engrossed in one big expression of exhaustion (i.e., yawn) as I approached the library check out counter with my three young boys trailing behind.
“Whew…pardon me!” I said, not wanting the librarian to think she had anything to do with the cause for my yawn.
“It’s okay. It’s Friday,” the librarian said.
I responded, “Yes, I made it through the first week of my new schedule waking up at 5:30am to workout each morning—and it’s finally catching up with me,” I gave as the excuse for my weary demeanor.
Her head tilted as she looked at me knowingly and smiled. “I used to have to get up at 5:30 a.m. for a long time,” she recounted. I just assumed she had to go to work early each morning. But her reason was very different.
She continued, “I’ve always said that I had to wake up at 5:30 each morning in order to get hot water and dry towels.”
“Really?” I chuckled, looking bewildered.
“Yes. I had six kids.”
“Oh,” I replied.
I had nothing else to say. How could I respond? One can always find things to complain about, but some things in life are just essential. So, I extend this lesson to all my fellow moms who may be reading this. No, you may not always get the break from the kids that you want. You may not enjoy weekly spa treatments or even a night out with your husband as often as you’d like. But do you have hot water and dry towels? Uh, do you? Think about it… You probably do. Now isn’t God good?
Life definitely is not a bowl of cherries. We have to learn how to count our blessings and in everything give thanks—for our lives, our health, our families, and yes—hot water and dry towels.
Copyright ©2007 by Anita S. Lane
Visit my online family magazine http://keepingfamilyfirst.org
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