This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things-
A Tribute to Mamas Everywhere.
I knew I wanted to make a post for Mother's Day, as being a Mum is one of my absolute favorite things, but I was really struggling to come up with the right words to describe how I feel about motherhood. For a while I sat with a blank screen staring back at me, but then I remembered something I stumbled upon recently and the decision about my post was made for me. I will write about vacuum lines. Don't leave now, it's going to get good, I promise.
As I said, I recently came across a facebook post about vacuum lines. The post was about how a woman noticed vacuum lines on the carpet belonging to family she was visiting. She was envious of the vacuum lines because her carpet hadn't maintained them in nearly ten years and wouldn't any time in the near future (she has five kids, her oldest was ten years old and youngest was six months at the time). She longed for her dream home and those vacuum lines were a part of it. She wanted her home to maintain its cleanliness for longer than an afternoon. Eventually, later in life, she got exactly what she desired. Her children were grown and no longer living in her house, and she was free to clean her home without interruption. But then she saw the trade off.. Maintaining those vacuum lines meant that her home was quiet, and a lot less lively. She missed her children running wild all those years, and finally realized that, although nice to look at, vacuum lines are actually quite lonely.
I was nearly brought to tears reading her thoughts and realizations. It really hit home for me because I often find myself wishing I could have things in the house that clearly don't make sense right now with two very young children. On the top of my list is a nice fluffy white comforter for my bed (See what I mean? Anything white or fluffy is unrealistic with sticky and dirty fingers on the loose!). I think about how much I would love candles burning in every room, decor that's not limited to the highest shelves, cleaning a whole lot less often, or even wearing one outfit the entire day through without getting one of the kids' bodily fluids on me.
But there is no way I would give up my kids, wish I never had them, or wish time to go by faster. As far as I am concerned, time is already going by too fast as it is! Just yesterday I was giving birth to my daughter and now she's two years old and has a little brother. Since the day Liana was born, I've been savoring many memorable moments with her. For instance, she loves to blow bubbles. Her face lights up with joy and I can hear the genuine happiness radiate from her infectious giggle as she watches her rainbow bubble floating up toward the sky. This magical, always cut-too-short, bubble blowing session usually gives way to sticky fingers. Those fingers will inevitably become covered in dirt from being outside. And my sweet little girl loves to give hugs and kisses, especially when she is enjoying herself, so now I'm covered in the bubble fun too. Two new outfits (one for each of us) and a bath later and we are good as new! Until the next fun activity--which is probably ten minutes from now.
Clearly my days can become quite hectic, dirty, and a lot of work. And days become even harder when the kids are misbehaving or being cranky. They typically require patience, understanding, and a good old fashioned scrub down. And, oh, what I would give to not have to change little outfits several times a day and be left with a mound of dirty laundry at the end of each week. But the wonderous look on Liana's wildly giddy face while jumping as high as she can to pop a bubble, is not one of them. I wouldn't trade a single magical moment for the cleanliness of my home. As difficult as it may be, and as much as I would just like to relax once in a while, I will always want my kids to be kids for as long as possible. My kids have brought vibrance and spontaneity back into my life. They woke me up from my 9-5 slumber and reminded me what it means to really live; to capture and savor each passing moment, and to never wish any of it away.
At some point I will have vacuum lines that may last all week. And I will look at those lines and miss my home being dirty and loud and full of life. And I will miss my children, who truly made my house a home. The love will linger warmly in our hearts, and years of laughter and secrets may be forever ingrained in the walls, but those vacuum lines... they will be lonely.
So to mamas everywhere, take the time today to hug your children a little tighter, laugh a little louder, and let that bubble blowing session get just a little bit crazier. Before you know it, your children will be grown and move on and you'll be left with lonely vacuum lines.
And to myself and my boyfriend who constantly think, "this is why we can't have nice things", our children are so much more important, and they will bring us infinitely more joy and memories than having nice things ever will.
Happy Mother's Day.
