So I woke up this morning and was laying in bed with my almost 5-year-old daughter listening to my iPod. Her first request was the song “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson. This one was really funny because she sang the chorus with the word ‘mustache’ inserted at a part where the words are too fast for her to understand. The next song was “21 Guns”, the Broadway version by Green Day. She loved that one too. She called it "awesome music." Then we listened to “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band and I was feeling pretty good… you know “Cold beers on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fits just right, and the radio on…” Very up-beat.
“Oh mirror in the sky
What is Love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I’ve been afraid of changing
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes your bolder
Children get older
I’m getting older too...”
I mean I was weeping! Josephine: “Is this a sad song Mommy?” Me: “No” J: “Then why are you crying?” Me: “Because sometimes that’s just what you do.” But I really didn’t have a good answer for her. And I still don’t. Maybe it was the reference to the seasons of my life, or children getting older, but really I think it’s the notion of building a life around someone else that hit me hardest.
So far this blog has focused on our family and the funny things we do. But, there are so many other parts of our family life that aren’t as much fun; there are lots of parts that are really hard for all of us. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in diapers, preschool and play dates. Like I’ve lost parts of myself, parts that made me different, that made me, ME. And then my little boy takes my face in his hands and turns it towards him and lays his forehead on mine and looks me right in the eye and says “pizza.” Or my little girl gets out of bed and leaves the room only to return with two pieces of tissue, “one for your eyes and one for your nose.” And during those little precious moments, the sacrifice feels worth it.
Thanks for listening. J
oh, mere. i love you. thanks for making me cry.
ReplyDeletewhat is it about this week with the tears? we have them over here, too.
p.s. i was crying while reading until i got the the "pizza" part of your story and then i started cracking up. that kid.
So love that song...and I hope you remember going to the concert with me...and dancing at Jags afterwards.
ReplyDelete"Can I handle the seasons of my life" certainly those words ring true for me too. Lynn used to sing me this song and tell me it was written for me.
Life is difficult but we do what we have to do and find our place. You sound like a wonderful mommy. Enjoy...I so missed that season.
Ah, good memories. Life is hard, no matter, I think. From someone whose life is completely different and who loves you dearly. Thanks for pushing me. You are part of the story of how I got to where I am today.
ReplyDeleteOne of my absolute favorite songs ever, but the acoustic Stevie Nicks version, not Dixie Chicks. But anyway, that song always makes me feel sort of weepy - not sad exactly, just weepy. It makes me feel overwhelmed with emotion -- in a good way. Anyway just wanted to say that I know the feeling you felt!
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