One Week Vacation

This morning was my last morning before my week off "work" as mother/wife/negotiator/chauffeur/cook/maid/friendship-advisor/sock-specialist/gardener/counselor/nurse/artist/geologist/historian/lunch-lady/teacher/banker/hair-stylist/administrator/designer/repair-person/zoo-keeper/back-rub-specialist/manicurist/math-writing-tutor/dishwasher/dog-walker/fund-negotiator/student/manners-reminder/mate/muse/coach, I think ... works well here, ...

"In a culture that measures worth and achievements almost solely in terms of money the intensive work of rearing responsible adults accounts for little." -Ann Crittenden

I would concede that the world does possibly measure motherhood worth but when did I begin to care what how the world measures something that I take delight in; something that is measured in the peace and comfort, the simple look in my childrens eyes, the feel of their arms around my neck, and making room on my lap for them to snuggle is my measurement. No matter if I do the job less than adequate, no matter if I fail again and again in the area of patience, no matter if I am "late" for work because I can't seem to pull myself out from under the comfort of the covers. My "work", my children, are more than happy to join me under those covers, and some of the best work is done with them in the comfort of my arms, as together, we waken to join the ranks of the motherhood business that day.

I prefer the following philosophy: "We at Mother: The Job know that Mothers are the mighty engine behind the human workforce that fuels the economy, as well as the nucleus of our society’s integrity. We embrace mothers in the workplace and mothers at home, advocating change in social policy and in the corporate culture so that mothers and their families can thrive.

The message products designed at Mother: The Job show the undeniable social and economic value of the care giving work and labor of mothers. We know that by raising her child from infancy to adulthood, and that child’s productivity in the marketplace and in society thereafter, she is a producer of “human capital” and of the good citizen as well."

So the world will be richer because of mothers, even if we take a week off the "job" from time to time. Warning: Next year will be my 15th year at the job, I plan to bump my time off up to two weeks. Fair?? I guess it is when you make the rules for your own employment. And I will be better at the job because I always can't wait to be back at it; refreshed, with the desire to do it better than ever.

Mothers have a special place in their children’s lives because of the bondage that starts from pregnancy and develops through childhood, youth, and adolescence. A mother’s involvement with her children is unique and different because there is a strong emotional and social bonding occurring in between. Bonding with children comes only with a day-to-day unconditional love and care of the family. We need to recognize the inextricable strong link that exists between the mothers and the welfare of the whole family including the father and children. Every thing is well if the mother is well in the household. A Jewish proverb says, “God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers.”

To be back in my special place, their lives, and honeys arms. I will look forward to next Wednesday, but for now, I am off...to pack, take the kids to the orthodontist, clean, wash sheets, carpool - oh wait, I drive everyday, Piano, Scouts, Football, Young Men's, write notes to everyone, get each their sweet treat to leave under their pillow, shower, and be to the airport by .... 6!!! Yikes, I better get.