I was kicked out of my house on Mother’s Day. It was after I had dressed Rosie (2) completely for church and within minutes she was naked as a jaybird. I was about to loose it. My dear husband packed me up and kicked me out the door, telling me to go to church early and enjoy listening to the choir and the prelude music. I felt more than a little guilty leaving them in that state of disarray. Arwen (14) was already at church singing in the choir and Slim (9) was ready so he left with me. That left DH (Dear Husband) with Cherish (12) to help him with the three little ones. And being late was not an option as Cherish was to be the first speaker.
I tried to relax and enjoy the music and general peace and quiet at church. Admittedly, I watched the clock and felt nervous as the ten o’clock hour approached. At 9:58 AM my family came through the chapel doors. I was mortified.
Moose had on a dirty sweater, jeans, and sneakers. Scoob had had on a decent polo with his pajama bottoms when I left, but now he had on a stained blue t-shirt with a too-small blue blazer over it, a third shade of blue pants and sandals. Rosie had on the outfit I had originally put her in that morning but it was the first time she had worn that dress and apparently the buttons were loathe to stay buttoned up as her belly was hanging very clearly out as only one button remained done up. All three had hair in various directions. My husband beamed–they were on time.
I am not a perfectionist. Maybe my children did not look so very different from normal. But today not only was Cherish to speak, but our entire family was to stand up on the stand and sing “Love is Spoken Here.” This was time for a quick gut check.
Between my DH and I, taking up the entire length of the pew, sat our six beautiful, healthy, wonderful children. So what if Scoob’s toes were hanging off the end of his shoes, none of that really matters. We are all here, together, with so much to be grateful for, so very, very much.
Cherish gave a beautiful talk about the importance of families and honoring parents. Together we sang about love being spoken in our home. I couldn’t have been prouder. If anyone felt to judge us that day I feel sorry for them. I hope our Heavenly parents look upon us, disheleved as we may be, with love and affection and acceptance, even if our belly buttons do hang out.
