Well, I have a confession to make. I am not a pack rat, I throw out everything because I can't stand to have any clutter around. It really bothers Ryan because I am continually throwing away magazines that he is still reading, giving away books he hasn't finished, clothes he thought were still good, paperwork that we apparently need for taxes (this remains to be proven), etc.
Well, today I had Connor helping me clean up the family room and I asked him to put away a recent art project the boys had made. He picked them up and asked me, "should I take care of them like you do when we aren't looking or should I put them in my room?" Hmmm, didn't quite get what he was asking so I asked him what he meant and he responded, "should I put them in the garbage like you put things away when we aren't looking?" I had no idea he had caught on to this daily practice of mine, here I was thinking I was so sneaky. Oh well, it didn't seem to bother him and he wasn't traumatized so we talked a little about how people are more important than things, which he didn't really care about, he just wanted to know, garbage or book shelf? I said book shelf and then threw them away myself about an hour later. Does this get me a nomination for mother of the year?
Probably not, but neither would anything else I do on a regular basis. Like a few days ago when I hollered at Connor while trying to get out the door for church on time. He point blank looked at me and very quietly told me, "sometimes you really scare me." Well, I got to church on time, humbled and feeling like a manure pile. Only to have the Relief Society lesson be on patience, so another nomination rescinded. I'm not doing so hot, but I really do love my boys and they say they love me, we'll see what therapy they will need as adults.
Howdy Spring
1 year ago
8 comments:
I can totally relate. Since reading 'Walden' and planning an international move, I want to throw away everything I own. The old pioneer ideals of 'Use it up, Wear it out' die hard for me, but they're worse than useless once you're rich enough to start acquiring stuff you never needed in the first place.
I'm very much laughing at your post because you sound just like me. I'm always throwing things away. I actually have a box I keep things in for a couple of weeks to see if they ask about them. If they don't, I trash them. And the church thing is even funnier because we are NEVER late to church, but I rarely have a smile on my face when I bring my brood in.
The whole "scaring" comment made me laugh--Bridger often tells me: "that makes me scared when you do that..." oh, boy--it happens almost everyday. I guess its better that he finds out now that I'm not perfect--don't want his bubble popping when he's an adult... :)
Well, if your biggest worry is scarring you children on occasion or throwing some junk away, then yes, in my book you just might be mother of the year. At least compared to me!
Hahahahaaha! I love it!
Forget college -I'm already putting money away towards my children's therapy sessions :) Its a good thing they are so forgiving. We need to get together. Maybe once school is out we can find a day to meet for lunch?!
that comment about you scareing your boys made me laugh out loud. also, i can totally relate... i throw stuff out ALL the time, and kyle is always getting after me for getting rid of 'junk.' granted, i have thrown some things out that i regret, but... oh well, it's gone now and out of my way! :)
Kara,I need you to come help me at my house. Sigh. I have had to WORK at throwing things away. However, as i look around my house, I realize that hanging onto things, especially unnecessarily, means spending emotional energy I don't have trying to find a home for it. I'm getting so much better about tossing stuff, though, because I realize I don't have time to keep track of The Stuff. And I'm tired of nagging my children to put away Their Stuff. --Auntie Anna
P.S. Agreeing with comments elsewhere here, you really ought to write a column! You write with great humor and realism.
Post a Comment