Today at church Sydney was crawling all over me, Daphne was asking me about going up to bear her testimony, and Hayden kept digging in the bag at my feet for fruit snacks. After Daphne and Dallin went up to bear their sweet testimonies, I was thinking of following their examples, and going up to bear mine. But then Hayden came over and was being crazy and climbing on me, while Sydney was standing in the corner of the bench near the aisle right next to me. I was trying to get Hayden in a better position in my lap so I could put my arm around Sydney but as I was moving Hayden, Sydney flipped right over the bench and landed on her face on the floor. I quickly threw Hayden off my lap, scooped Sydney up and rushed out the door just as she caught her breath and started screaming.
I felt terrible that she fell off the bench when I was right next to her, and as I held her out in the halls, I couldn't help thinking that that little scenario seemed like a metaphor for my life right now. I feel like I am frantically rushing from one thing to another and while I'm trying to pay attention to one thing somebody or something else falls off the bench. I just don't have enough arms to hold onto everyone and everything I need to hold on to. I wish I had more hours in my day, or could survive on less sleep, or could grow a pair of extra arms. I would look like a freak, but at least I could fold my blasted laundry twice as fast.
Still learning how to manage my time, I guess.
5 comments:
Wow! It just sounds so familiar. Thanks for putting all my feelings and frustrations into words - and such a great metaphor! I'm not so good with words, but it makes me feel good to read it and say "yes, that's exactly how I feel!"
Sorry you are having a rough time Sharee. I hope you know that you are not alone - from what I've heard most mothers feel just like you. Infact, it makes me think of something Sister Hinkley said about mothering young children, it goes something like this..."How did a nice girl like me get into a mess like this?"
Amen...and hang in there! Your post reminds me of Pres. Monson's counsel to "find joy in the journey". Easier said than done on some days, but definitely a good reminder. Although, I am always wishing for extra hours:-)
I always tell my boys, "I am not a mama octopus. If I were a mama octopus I could wipe your nose/get her a sippy/get the groceries in from the car at the same time." That always makes them laugh and stop what they are doing to imagine me as an octopus. It's my trick because it's like a "pause" button. Pause. Reset.
sharee-- i was JUST saying to dan that since a mom's body goes through so much with pregnancy and even after Heavenly Father should have given moms an extra set of arms for like, the first year after your baby is born, then they fall off or something. He reminded me of the whole "in His image" concept and i said Heavenly Father could probably use a second set too!
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