One day my mother walked into the family room and found most of the Cheerios box dumped out all over the floor. My brother was messing around with something he shouldn't have been, and I was sitting in the middle of the floor with my hand in the Cheerios box. We were about 3 and 4 years old. As she told the story later, she asked herself, "Should I cry now? Should I scold? Or ... should I take a picture?" She took a picture. (This was unlike her. Usually she cried or yelled.) She sat and ate Cheerios with us. Eventually, I suppose she vacuumed them up.
I still have that picture she took of the chaos. I love that picture. That house is long gone. Cheerios are long since cleaned up. My awesome brother and his lovely wife live in a different state. My mother died when I was a teenager, long ago. She was not a perfect mother. Still, I miss her, and I wish she were here. Well, she's not, but I do still have that picture. I'm so glad she chose that option -- admit you don't know what to do, and instead of crying or yelling or scolding about it, take a picture and just sit for a minute. Have a handful of Cheerios.
4 comments:
I totally needed this today....had a few moments today where some cheerios would have been nice.
Great story and great perspective.
The family story about my aunt (who died when her children were young) was that it was more important to her to play with her children than have a clean house. That was the gift she left them with.
Your mother did a good thing. I wish I could say that that's what I did when our children were growing up.
Hi there...thanks for finding me on HL..I am now following you back! Hang in there!
I needed this! I try to let go and not worry about the messes in the house but this reminded me t sit down and play with my son...he is only young once!
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