Sweet sweet boys

Last week I went out with a friend one night. I always feel a little sad on those nights, coming home to a house in which strange things have happened. I who usually know every event intimately, know every accomplishment and failing. The boys got ready for bed without me.

There's the Spiderman costume on the floor in the living room - I guess they played superheroes. And here's a goopey bowl on the dining room table, ice cream perhaps? Little clues they leave behind, so I can guess at what they do in my absence.

That night, as I tidied the bathroom, I saw this little glove on the counter. A friend gave us a random Bag of Fun, including matchbox cars and a batting glove. My boys don't know what a batting glove is. Their parents are ignorant in regards to team sports, and prefer to spend time running or surfing. But Thomas has been wearing this glove daily, almost all day, over his cute little nail-bitten hand.

I turned the glove inside out and spread it on the counter to dry. How long will I have a little three-year-old in my house? leaving little three-year-old things about? How long will he come out of his room after his nap saying, "I just want someone to hold me."? When will he stop begging for "short pants", as opposed to his "regulars" ?

This evening I began to wonder why I so often look on the boys as a job, rather than a joy. "No, don't do that." "Please get in your room like I asked you to." "Don't jump off of that." "Why aren't you listening?" "Sit DOWN in your chair." I may speak softly, but there is an underlying tone of tried patience. My general outlook on parenthood is that I'm priviledged to be in charge of these children, but do I show that to them? That I'm excited to be here with them every day? That I can't think of one thing I'd rather do?

It's easy for me to get weighted down with my daily tasks. Get the laundry done, food on the table, food off the table, dishes in the dishwasher, kiddoes cleaned and dressed, out to play, house cleaned, baby fed, baby changed. But I've got to be able to enjoy this time I'm given. Because I know that little batting glove isn't going to be sitting on the bathroom counter much longer, and I'm going to miss it when it's gone.