Just Write {111}

November 19, 2013

Elsie was emptying all the cards and pictures from my Bible on the floor, away from the places I’ve tucked them, marking pages or time. Miles was on the bed with the rainbow loom next to Asher who was listening to me read. Ryan is out of town. I was trying not to lose my patience over chaos and how we’re always behind at bedtime but it felt like deep breaths were expensive.

After we did so many things, the four of us, and they were all finally quiet with sleep, I sat stunned by the exhaustion and numb.

There was more work to be done, lunches to get ready, dishes, laundry, writing deadlines…

Then I put this note on Facebook –

I wish there were some sort of motherhood gang sign, or a common phrase we whispered to each other as we walk by–in the store or on the street, at the doctor’s office or on the playground, during school drop off and at birthday parties. You know, something we all say to remind each other that we’re all the same, that we’re okay, that we SEE each other. “I see your hard work and how tired you are and we’re in this together.” But let’s not say that, it’s too long and fluffy. 

I’m trying too. I’m tired too. I don’t know what I’m doing either. I’m guessing too. I’m so in love with mine too. Mine are driving me crazy too. I think it’s extraordinary too. I’m sick of all the things too. Mine have tantrums in the store too. Mine whine too. Mine say the cutest things too.

Me too.

Sometimes I see a mom with a baby strapped to her front and a toddler running away from her and a preschooler whining at her and I want to say something but I don’t always because I usually just say something silly. I confuse her or say something trite. You’re super woman! 

*blank stare*

ER, um…BYE.

So I want to say ME TOO and have it be understood. Like a thumbs up or an L on the forehead or a two fingers up in a peace sign.

ME TOO.

:::::

This is the 110th installment of Just Write, an exercise in free writing your ordinary and extraordinary moments. {Please see the details here.} I would love to read your freely written words so join me and link up below. You can add the URL of your post at any time. Just be sure it’s a link to your Just Write post, not to your main page, and please don’t link to posts that are not freely written in the spirit of capturing moments–you know, don’t link to how-to posts, lists or sponsored posts. Also, please link back to this post in yours so people know where to go if they’d like to join in.

Please take a moment to visit someone else who has linked up! It’s a really good way to meet new writers and get inspired by the meaning behind their moments. Word? Thank you!



{ 13 comments }

Ami November 19, 2013 at 9:59 am

Bedtime by yourself? ME TOO, honey, ME TOO!
Ami recently posted..A cat on a lap.

Kim November 19, 2013 at 10:01 am

me too. bringing over a frozen meal for you today.
Kim recently posted..In the Darkness

Stacey November 19, 2013 at 12:57 pm

Me too! I so often want to reach out to those Moms and let them know they aren’t alone. I’ve been there too!
Stacey recently posted..Leaving on a Jet Plane

Vikki November 19, 2013 at 1:01 pm

You know I love a good gang sign. I’m flashing one for you right now.
Vikki recently posted..The Art of Friendship

Contemporary Troubadour November 19, 2013 at 2:27 pm

Oh there HAS to be a sign to be invented for this — ME TOO, indeed!

And yes, deep breaths … who knew they could be so freaking costly …
Contemporary Troubadour recently posted..First day

Erica November 19, 2013 at 2:36 pm

I like the ME TOO.

When the boys were young, my husband and I would look at each other during those trying times and say, “Strength and Honor.” Yeah, we totally swiped that from Gladiator but it worked for us.

Kathy November 19, 2013 at 4:23 pm

I found Just Write via Vikki and am linking up for the first time today. I wrote my post late last night and though I didn’t know then I would be sharing it here, I was conscious of just jumping into my story with out any explanation or trying to spell things out to much. I learned to do that during my first NaBloPoMo in November 2011, when I allowed myself to experiment with different ways of writing. Prior to that my blog entries usually read more like letters to a friend, with greetings and salutations.

Anyway, I appreciate your post and often wonder what those moms in the neighborhood, who I don’t really know, are thinking and feeling in those moments when we pass each other in our day to day lives. It would be cool to have some kind of sign acknowledging that it’s okay, we’re okay and we get how wonderful and challenging parenting can be. Thank you for sharing and hosting this.
Kathy recently posted..Force of Nature

Marta November 19, 2013 at 4:26 pm

So many times I could use a “me too.” Can we start a gang sign of me too please?
Marta recently posted..Believe.

Ashley November 19, 2013 at 7:25 pm

I think you’re on to something. I think this is a great idea. Nothing better than having that reminder that we aren’t alone :)

Ewokmama November 19, 2013 at 8:35 pm

A mom gang sign sounds perfect!
Ewokmama recently posted..Twist Me Up And Wring Me Out

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons November 19, 2013 at 9:52 pm

I adored that FB post she I saw it and I totally agree! I think most moms recognize the other frazzled moms, but it would be completely awesome to have an actual sign of solidarity!
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons recently posted..Tuesday Ten – Modern Conveniences

Alison November 20, 2013 at 8:27 am

A Me Too motherhood gang sign. Perfect. Just perfect.
Alison recently posted..Existential Bummer

Amanda November 21, 2013 at 10:00 am

Sometimes the moreness of life completely overwhelms me and I just think, “Again?”

Sitting here in bed today recuperating from tests at the hospital yesterday and I found the whole terror of more turned on its ear and feeling greedy for more, albeit in a tired way.

Here’s to the moments in between the mayhem and the magic when life just is.
xo
Amanda recently posted..Flush!

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