There is a common thought that because a woman stays home, raises kids and doesn't work outside the home, she either has no mind to begin with, or stores it away until she wises up and gets a job.
For awhile, when I was a young mother, I could be a bit intimidated by other women who chose to work rather than have babies. It seemed to me that they were always talking about grown-up, important things and I was still trying to figure out how to get the spit up smell out of a favorite blouse.
My childless friends took trips to romantic islands during the summer.
I made trips to the pediatrician.
They planned stock portfolios.
I planned play dates.
They shopped Neiman-Marcus.
I shopped Babies R Us.
And there were days when I looked in the mirror and believed what the world said about stay at home moms.
I remember.
With a three year old whose face is smeared with peanut butter and who wears grape jelly like gloves,
a five year old crying because her older brother thinks he is "the Hulk" as he chases her around the kitchen, I wondered, honestly, if there were a chance in You Know Where, that these kids would ever be the "Citizens of Tomorrow!" America's future could well be in trouble!
I remember.
I paused just a moment to look out my kitchen window and wonder if Life truly could "pass you by." Then, the seven year old, almost eight, "Hulk" twirled around several times, sunk to the floor and raised himself up with a big smile, reached out to his little sister and said, "I meant you no harm.
I'm Dr. David Banner. I only look scary but I am really very nice."
The moment seemed to hang in quiet space.
Cries turned to laughter as his 5 year old little sister ran up to Dr. Banner and hugged him.
And before any one saw her coming and could take cover, the three year old ran to both of them and became part of a very sticky love fest!
America's future suddenly did not look so bleak. In one small moment of grace, I imagined there was nothing too great these kids could one day do. I saw Leaders of the Free World.
I saw international negotiators. I saw Nobel Peace Prize winners. (Well, maybe that's overstating it!)
Taking them all to the bathroom to wash, I began to feel sorry for those women who spent their days making zillion dollar deals, going on "power lunches" and selling high priced whatevers.
That day in my kitchen I discovered that Life doesn't pass you by if you are keeping up with it.
The problem is, you can't keep up with Life if you don't know where real life is!!!
Well, that day I knew. And I remember. Even today.
"Thank You," I whispered to Heaven, as I licked a bit of jelly off my fingers.
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