the day after mother's day

So, today is the "day after Mother's day".  The kids bickered, the dirty towels were on the floor and I "didn't understand that this is NOT what they like to eat for lunch" and the hustle and bustle began.

The Day after Mother's Day.  This is the day when mothers should unite and meet for manis and pedis all across the world.  A day of peace.

Yesterday, I had an unusual mother's day.  We ventured out of the small coastal town and drove to the big city.  This was after the breakfast in bed and Hallmark cards and hugs and kisses and the typical Mother's day fanfare. 

We went to see WICKED.  That's right, WICKED.  Yeah for me for making this happen and Yeah for the my husband and son for going with smiles on their faces.

Yes, it was wonderful. 

And during this song, I feel apart.  Not for the reasons that you think.  I feel apart from bliss.

I listened, really listened to the words of this song and I thought about what they meant to me.

Because of all of my children, I have been changed for good.  Without them, the following would never have happened to me.

I never would have held someones hair back while they vomited on my feet...I never would have known the pain of stepping on a Lego in the darkness of night...never would have checked a boy's butt for ticks or a boy for ringworm...never would have pulled a fishhook from a finger...never would have listened to Hot cross Buns played from a recorder with such enthusiasm...never would have watched all six episodes of Dragon Ball Z ...never would have spent tireless hours searching for the perfect flower girl dress and Halloween costume...never would have spent hours planning and executing perfect birthday parties...never would have gone to summer camp...never would know a ton about treatment, recovery and relapse and never would know what it means to have your child hold your hand while you are driving and singing "Hey Soul Sister". 

The reality is, I love being a mom.  And even though this past year has SUCKED with a capital S, it didn't kill me.  

So, I picked up the dirty towels, cleaned the kitchen and made the beds and even reread my cards from yesterday and I started about my day. 

I have been changed, for http://youtu.be/m4BjwTzEZw8