Yesterday was supposed to be a fun and festive day. I was supposed to
Have a leisurely morning getting the house back together, doing breakfast dishes and laundry, and sitting down for Table Time.
Take a shower, do hair and make-up (this rarely happens on a Monday) to get ready for Chad’s office Christmas party lunch. Wear my cute new plumberry skinny jeans. (Yes, I had my outfit all planned.)
Take Locke to babysitting co-op so I could enjoy adult conversation during the Christmas party lunch.
Order salmon or a fresh salad at one of my favorite nicer restaurants, La Jolla Groves.
Hit a few stores on the way home for some last minute Christmas gifts.
Go to a family party and visit with cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Eat lots of yummy food.
Go to my daughter’s dance showcase.
Like I said, Monday was supposed to be a fun, festive day.
But instead I was woken up in the middle of the night by a certain cry. You know the cry that sounds just enough different that you know something is wrong. You know your child is sick and you instinctively know that your plans for the next day just got wiped out.
Locke woke up with a weird rash all over his face, wrist, tummy, etc. Plus a runny nose. Poor little guy.
So instead of make-up and a cute outfit, I was still in my robe at 12:00 when Croft got picked up for Kindergarten.
Instead of salmon and lemon cake, I ate cereal and a few bites of Annie’s macaroni for lunch.
Instead of Target and Hobby Lobby, I shopped at Amazon.com on my bed with Locke snuggled up next to me.
Instead of visiting with relatives and adult conversation, I read “The Little Mermaid” and “101 Dalmations” to a 3 year old.
Instead of watching a dance recital, I watched Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer, Max and Ruby, and Sesame Street.
My fun, festive plans changed on a dime as I heard that “off” cry in the middle of the night.
Although I felt bad for Locke, I was frustrated too because of all that I had to get done in the next 7 days. The busyness of the season was weighing on my shoulders. I couldn’t have a sick kid this week!
But as I went about my new day, I kept thinking about of all those mothers in Connecticut whose plans and life changed on a dime too, but in a vastly different way. They were supposed to pick up their children from school. They were supposed to eat dinner, read books and give baths. They were supposed to go to Christmas parties, shopping, or dance recitals with their children. They were supposed to see Christmas lights and Santa. They were supposed see their kids smiling faces on Christmas morning as they opened up their gifts. And of course there were supposed to be graduations, weddings and grandbabies.
Sometimes the “supposed to be’s” of life and motherhood are the most painful part.
As I thought about what was supposed to be for my Monday, my conscience whispered to me, “Get a real problem, sister.”
I will count my blessings that I got to spend a whole day with Locke snuggled in right by my side. I got to wipe his nose 30 times. I got to get him his blanket and his stuffed animal. I got to see his little face up close. I got to talk trains and cars and chocolate. I got to eat lunch, breakfast and dinner with him. I got to read him books and sing him to sleep and kiss him goodnight. And it was a gift.
Motherhood brings the greatest joy along with the greatest sorrow. My hugs and thoughts and prayers go out to all the moms and families in Connecticut. My heart hurts for what was supposed to be.
![I spoke in church today and said the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of Charity. I read Moroni 7:45-47 to make my point. But wherever there was the word ‘Charity’ I substituted it out for ‘the Atonement of Jesus Christ.’ See if these scripture verses now have new meaning for you:
“And the Atonement of Jesus Christ suffererth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth in the truth,
[The Atonement of Jesus Christ] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not the Atonement of Jesus Christ, ye are nothing, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-
But the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
So Easter really reminds us of love. The first and greatest commandment.](https://www.raisinglemons.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
I think we are all holding our precious bundles closer, and holding on tighter right now. My heart still breaks for the parents and for what those poor babies must have went through.
Beautiful post.
Swede is sick this week too. The only upside is the extra snuggles they give. I soaked them up even more after last Friday.
This was beautiful Tiff. You really should consider starting a blog or something.:) You are an amazing articulater of words and feelings. I love you for that.
Beautifully written my friend.
Aunt tiff.. that was an amazing set up of thoughts and words. you couldnt have said anything better that could describe what happened in conneticut. you are beautiful and amazing. i love you. Merry christmas too!
Great as always Tiff!
Definitely holding our babies tighter even if they throw a curve ball in our plans. Amazing post Tiff!
Tiff, many thanks for your blog today. I really needed it as I thought of Little Locke and his pain and suffering. You are raising the best kids. I love this time of year as it is a time to hold our kids and grandkids closer. They need to feel safe. Our homes are safe places. Pray for the fallen kids and their families. Tiff, keep sending us inspiring messages. I luv you and your family. Thanks for what you do to help so many people.
I felt the same gratitude as watched your children sing in their school program. What a gift to just get to go to their school and see them in a happy time. I realized that 1/2 of the kindergarten children in your program would not have been there. What a loss to so many families. We think that our kids will always be there or that we will always be there but guess what–life doesn’t play fair. It is never predictable. Loss comes without warning and we wish we would have said and done more. Our children are worth every effort and every tear. Childhood is short at best. Give Locke a hug from me.
Beautiful post! Sorry to ruin the moment but…did you find out why he got the rash? Looks painful 🙁
Thanks Kelsie! I ended up taking him to the doctor and they weren’t exactly sure what it was — maybe “slapped cheek syndrome” which is a virus. His rash seems to be doing better today but he still has a bad cold and cough. It wouldn’t be Christmas at my house without a sick child.