Waiting: Another One from the Archive

I have been reflecting on the stages of being a stay at home mom as my dear friend described her crazy start to the week. I love that some of my writing began while the kids were still three under three. Looking at the chaos that used to make up the day makes some of the four o'clock crazies we've had this week sane.

I call the 4:00-6:00 pm hours The Witching Hour. For some reason, the kids hit their peak at that time. I remember keeping one eye on the kids and one eye on the clock, waiting for their dad to come home and spell me. Sometimes, before her knight shining armor arrived, Mommy had to take time out, although that can be a risky endeavor depending on the day.

On one such day, I wrote this poem. I remember it soooo clearly. It's hard to believe how much has changed, how much is better, how the battles are different, and how much is most definitely easier! I think that's one of the best things about life: most of it, is only a season!

Waiting

I wake every morning to your alarm going off

Your son starts to cry just like a clock.

I wait for the warning you are about to leave for the day.

I wait for your kiss, “I love you” you say.

I wait for a moment to drink some coffee;

While pouring milk, cereal and change the movie.

I wait for naptime, so I can start the laundry,

clean the floors and begin dinner because I know you’ll be hungry.

I wait for you to bring stuff home,

To maintain the yard, build little things.

I wait for you, to come rescue me

From the cleaning, the crying, the same old scene.

You arrive home late, and immediately start something new,

On the computer, because your business is YOU.

You come home just to be gone in your head

While talking about my lonely day,

you haven’t heard a word I’ve said.

You ask, please won’t you wait?

You don’t understand that’s all I have done all day. 

I wait for your promises to get done,

I wait for the bills to be paid and money for fun

I wait on the kids, I wait on you

I wait on the animals, on the yard,

on things you say you’ll build or do.

I wait for you to stop snoring so I can sleep.

I wait for the weekend, to have a chance

to spend some time with you after your hectic week.

All I do is wait, all day long, all week long, just to start it all over again.

Seasons change, kids grow, Mom grows and guess what? We all survive! That snow that we are seeing in April will disappear. When the weather finally gets warm and beautiful, the four o'clock Crazies will be running it off at the park. And in the balmy warmth of the evening, Mom will be taking her break in the garden, I'm sure! My, how we all have grown!