Several days a week, my dad brings my girls home from school to change for dance class. It’s a quick turnaround time, but when I’m not home to supervise, all rules go out the window. Earlier this week, we talked about taking care of the house when they come home to change so we (I) don’t have to come home to a big mess. Basic things like closing the closet doors, putting your backpacks away, and cleaning up after yourselves.
Today was a rare day when I was home before anyone else. I opened the door and immediately knew our little talk had fallen on deaf ears. Upon entering the entryway, the doors to the closet were wide open. A pair of slippers stood looking into the pantry, the body belonging to them long gone. I followed a trail of discarded coats thrown all over the floor into the kitchen, where I found backpacks lying in every direction- none were open, indicating that lunchboxes had been unpacked. I ignored the mess and stood at the island and sneakily read a slice or two while enjoying the few minutes of quiet before the girls arrived home. Soon, I’m in tears after reading Clare’s pre-obituary for Melanie, so touched that she notices her mom and all the things that make her uniquely Clare’s mom and, at the same time, shine a light on her love for her work, her family, and her children. I wipe away tears, hoping my kids will look back and see me as the one who “had little time but made all the time in the world for us.”
I comment and text Melanie as I wipe tears from my eyes. Then, I scan the kitchen. Is that a pizza box in the fruit bowl? What goes on in this house when I’m not here?
That’s right around the time Melanie texts me back.
Today, I think my daughters are jerks and don’t care one bit about me or anyone but themselves. But Clare has given me hope for the future…
Where There Is Joy 
I’m laughing. I definitely didn’t always rock. I definitely didn’t unpack my lunch, I definitely left clothes on the couch and then on the stairs going up for weeks, and we (my mom and I) definitely had our moments. Happy to give you hope!
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My kids are so much older, and I still give the same lecture! I used to have an afternoon routine sign hung in the front hallway that they had to complete before I got home from work!
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I have posted post-it lists…banned them from the pantry and left packed snacks on the counter. I need to tighten up!
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Dear Jesse, I love reading your slices. I especially loved the line in this text: ” A pair of slippers stood looking into the pantry, the body belonging to them long gone.” Despite your frustration, you use humor and a big heart to describe the imperfection of raising children. And, so I know from the person you are AND your amazing writing that three little girls are assuredly off to a great future. In the meantime, you make us all laugh and sigh with relief that we are not alone n the daily battle of raising kids and despite their occasional wayward behaviors our kids will be just fine.
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I loved the same line Wendy! And this slice. It shows how the chaos can be balanced by taking a few minutes of calm.
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Thanks Wendy! Reading other’s writing often makes me feel more sane. We’re all in it together. ❤️
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One more thing I love about this post that I haven’t already said is that it is RIGHT before mine in the morning call. As I already said to you, we had PLENTY of moments, and there were LOTS of slippers left in random places!
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”A pair of slippers stood looking into the pantry, the body belonging to them long gone.”
What a line!
All hell breaks loose when I’m not in charge. (It might be why my mom jokingly calls me the general.) My kids take advantage of their grandparents, which annoys me.
Mel’s girls all give me hope for the future on the hardest of days. As she said, your kids will grow up to be wonderful. But that day-to-day slot right now is frustrating.
btw: I would love to know who threw the pizza box in the fruit bowl!
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Wren. 100%. She’s the worst culprit. She was packing dinner to bring to dance and never puts anything back! When she got home, we had a talk about cleaning up after yourself. She said, “ok mom.” 🙄
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Everyone’s said it already so I’ll deliver my standard snarky line — all we wanted was a baby! lol Thankful for the Clare’s and the Melanies out there who do, indeed, give us all hope!
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Jessica – My favorite line about the messy gift your girls left you: A pair of slippers stood looking into the pantry, the body belonging to them long gone. I’m going to read Clare’s post now. I would have done it in the middle of your post, but I didn’t want to be sobbing when I returned to your. Enjoy the mess – hug your children.
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I told Clare and my mom that Clare won daughter of the day yesterday. But I second what Clare said! There are always highs and lows and things we still do that drive her crazy, but we’ve definitely all come to appreciate what she does for us.
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