We are No Longer Cute and other Revelations

We just celebrated our "baby's" 5th birthday. It is still hard to believe that she has been around for 5 years. Yes, she walks, talks, eats and dresses on her own. Even buckles herself into her own car seat. Such new "freedoms" I am experiencing as a mom. I am no longer wiping bottoms, no longer making baby food, or buying darling onesies and sippy cups. Our household has moved on to "personal bests" in winter track, "for-profit" snow shoveling, and after school tutoring. As busy as I thought I was when I was measuring my day in terms of baby feedings and naps, I now find that I long for those simple, simple days!

I have been in the airport several times in the past year visiting my mom in Tucson. I love to watch the movement of traveling people. The couples with small children are especially cute to watch. They have their fancy stroller loaded down with toys and diapers. Dad is patiently walking behind the toddling little one. Mom is checking to make sure she has everything set to entertain a confined baby for a few hours en route to where ever they are going. As frazzled as those parents seem, they look so young and cute, in an odd way, fresh. I always identify with those young parents like I am part of their club, The Alliance of Cute Young Parents. 

This past trip though, I had a jolting revelation. I am no longer a part of that Club! I have started giving talks- lectures even- to those young, hip newbies. I hear myself thinking, "Been there. Done that," when I pass by. I threw out my old unsexy stroller. I don't have a stylish diaper bag. And I don't travel with a bundle of toys and snacks. We are no longer members of the ACYP.

What are we now as we traipse thru an airport with our entourage of walking, talking, bag carrying children- some of which are on the verge of adulthood?  My husband has passed the forty year mark and I can see it from my seat. I was shocked this past trip to realize that we could be grandparents- when hell freezes over, mind you, but it is possible! 

The other revelation, that is not such a jolt is that I love the stage of life in which we find ourselves. What a thrill to sit around our big kitchen table and hear about the childrens' days, to hear them question and dream. To rejoice with them over their successes and press them forward when they mess up. Even the mess of back packs, books, and shoes, shoes, shoes is exciting- a real pain sometimes, but exciting none the less. (Ever wonder how many pairs of shoes a family of 8 owns? I'll give you a buck if you come over and count them all!)

One final revelation: (and I know that for many, this is not new stuff) I have had to come to grips with fact that the "staff job complete" principle doesn't really apply to mothering or running a household. Can I be free from the tyranny of thinking I need to check everything off of my list and close up shop at the end of the day? My job will never be "complete" until Jesus calls me home, so why do I frustrate myself by constantly telling myself that I am "behind" in my work, that I have to catch up, that there are too many things left undone? I need to accept the on-going nature of my job as a homemaker and not get "my panties in a wad" over a pile of laundry, a week of unplanned meals, or my third grader's report card full of B's. When I hit the gates of Heaven, I will hear those blessed words, "Staff job complete, my faithful daughter." But until then, I have the comforting arm of my Savior strengthening me, leading me, and caring for me as I face the "unfinishable" business of being a wife, mother, and home manager. 

   I mentioned that 40 is in my near future. People always told me that your 40's is a time of new freedoms and less cares. Well, I am noticing that they are right! I want to dress wild, paint wild colors throughout my house and even spend a fortune to buy a dog. Watch out world!