Motherhood Is In The Details

I came across this post from Ordinary on Purpose the other day, and I couldn't have written a more accurate description of my life if I tried! Brian and I were eating lunch at Panera yesterday and this sweet older lady stopped to visit with Jack. She just kept standing there staring at him and talking to him, telling us how beautiful he was. She eventually told us that she wasn't ever able to have children. Before she left, she patted his little shoulder and said "your momma and daddy sure are lucky." It nearly brought me to tears. The truth is, sometimes I get tired and overwhelmed by the details...there are So. Many. Details. that come with raising 4 kids. But what a powerful reminder her words were for me yesterday to never, ever take for granted the gift of my children. It is the greatest privilege of my life to be their mom! Right down to the smallest details. 

Motherhood is in the details.

It’s knowing what time I need to roll sleepy kids out of bed to get to school and who wants mayonnaise on their sandwiches and the exact location of those lost shoes every single time.

It’s keeping track of picture day and our turn to have the class hamster and which Saturday we are supposed to bring soccer treats.

It’s remembering favorite colors and favorite meals and shoe sizes and the name of every stuffed animal on my daughter’s bed.

It’s knowing when they’re due for eye exams and dental appointments and making sure everyone is up to date on immunizations.

It’s playing the part of the Easter bunny and Santa and the tooth fairy and baking each kid a birthday cake for our traditional white stand.

It’s switching laundry (even if it’s never going to be folded) and engineering High/Low at dinnertime (even if it’s pizza…again) and making my face appear interested in their latest Fortnite feat or ALL the details of yet another ‘weirdest dream.’

It’s cheering at soccer games and basketball tournaments and listening to little voices read books before bed.

It’s remembering to ask, “How was your math test today?” or “Is your foot feeling any better?” or noticing when to say, “Hey, you seem quiet. Do you want to talk about it?”

It’s pushing on the swings or agreeing to that millionth hand of UNO and memorizing their little freckled faces and dimpled smiles or knowing what we need to grab from the store for dinner tonight.

Motherhood is in the details.

And there are SO MANY DETAILS!!! Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in it all. Sometimes I feel unappreciated. Invisible even. Does anyone even realize how it would all fall apart if I weren’t here?? If I weren’t paying attention??

But the truth is, keeping track of the ordinary little details of this family is the greatest privilege of my life. And if the tiny details of childhood matter to them, then they matter so much to me because that’s how they feel secure and loved.

Motherhood means I get to be the face of LOVE.

So, when they head off to school with full tummies and clean uniforms or open up a lunchbox of healthy food or run out to the car at the end of the school day…I’m right there.

And when they scan the stands looking for my face after a three-point shot or come bursting through the door with another excited story to tell or need a safe place to fall at the end of the day…I’ll be there too.

Soaking it all in.

Right down to the smallest detail.