Sunday, December 6, 2009

95% MOM!

I walked out the door of my home tonight to attend a wonderful women-only event held just once each year. It is a holiday tea with home baked treats and seven layer dips that melt fancily in my mouth. I go for the food and fellowship – and because I love my friend Michelle who puts the party on each year. I visit with wonderful women for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Some women I have known for years and others I will meet for the first time. Each woman has an interesting story to tell.

“Mom,” my 14 year old daughter moaned as I put my coat on, “you’re leaving us again?” Her weepy eyes searched mine for some sign of guilt induced by her overstated comment. She found none. Her attempt to keep me home was inspiring since she rarely indicates a desire to be around me. But, I deliberately did not change my plans.

Instead, I turned to her and kindly said, “Yes, that’s right. I am leaving for a little bit. I guess you could call me your 95% mom. You see honey someday you will understand that I give 95% of my time to my beautiful family so you can experience how deeply you are loved. I give 95% of my life to you so you realize your life is more important to me than my own.

But tonight is 5% mom night. I need 5% of my life, my energy, and my time to be spent taking care of me. I visit with other women and take care of myself so I can love you more fully, more often, more calmly, and more gratefully. I am your 95% mom and I love you! And someday I pray that you will be a 95% mom too.

3 comments:

Jennifer Griffin-Wiesner said...

You are such a great role model for her.

Collins Family said...

Very wise, you are! I love how you state it in words:)

zaario said...

I completely agree with you that it is essential for us to reserve a little piece of us, just for us. I'm just blown away by how you are able to whittle that piece down to a 5% sliver.