When the Mom-O-Meter goes off
September 13, 2007
Today was one of those days where you really need to watch your step around me. I am on edge, crawling out of my skin and ready to fight. The kids? They can do no right. The husband? Don’t even try. The PTA? Can I be any more antagonistic towards “the way things are done?” Usually, these days come and the family (and most friends) learn to just stay out of the way. Why the angst? Partially because I have been working really hard the last few weeks and it is taking a toll. And, partially because I have been stewing over a situation that I need to just release. For me–a recovering addict– you cannot stay in a bad place for very long and come out unscathed. I just wanted to be left alone. Visions of solitude danced in my head as the evening approached. The kids rejoiced that it was cereal for dinner night. But all thoughts of solitude or self-absorption were immediately wiped away with that one thing that can pull any mother out of a funk.
That blood curdling scream of her child in pain.
My younger daughter slammed her hand in a door. It took me less than a nano-second to go from “Leave me alone” to “Come to me” when I heard her cries. Any thoughts of fatigue or “me time” vanished. All desire to be left alone were replace with that undeniable energy and desire to help my child in pain.
As we examined her finger to see if she fractured it, I knew that my heart was beating as fast as hers was only with a little extra pounding because I am the Mom and I need to make this better for her. Right. Now. There came an amazing adrenaline rush as I was able to speed through the task of getting the ice, the Advil and the favorite stuffed animal all while wiping away tears of pain. Her physical pain. My heart breaking for her. They were matched only by the undeniable bond and knowledge that came from knowing I was needed in that moment. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After she had her finger put in a splint and the tears had dried, suddenly, it didn’t seem so awful being needed tonight. We curled into one another and read book after book until she fell asleep. Though being needed by so many people so often can be draining, there some those moments where you would never dream of being anywhere else. No matter what.
For more on Moms who have been through the ringer with the Mom-O-Meter, see the rest of this entry at BlogHer.
Posted by Jenn @ 11:58 am
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I can’t tell you how closely I connect to this post. No matter how you’re feeling, as soon as you hear “that cry” you know instinctively that you are now the MOM. YOU are the one to care fore, comfort, and nurse back to health. Knowing YOU are the one to make them feel better is incredible.
Thanks for the post!
http://awholelotofnothing.net
September 14th, 2007 at 7:53 amSo true, so true. This brings back memories of my daughter’s stitches at age two, broken wrist at age 11, and my son’s many asthma attacks when he was young.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:08 pmJenn, I LOVE this post.
September 14th, 2007 at 9:41 pmYeah, there’s nothing like being needed to pull you out of a funk of solitude, eh? I hope she’s doing okay!
You can always take your “me time” after she’s feeling better.
I really need to read you on a regular basis.
September 18th, 2007 at 8:14 amIt’s so true, just when I feel like I can’t take another minute of my family I realize that they truly need me. That is a great story. I hope her finger heals quick.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:39 amThis was such a powerful post for me. It is amazing how that cry of pain can bring us back from wherever we have let ourself wander. How suddenly we find the energy to be a mom again. I hope your little one feels better!!
September 18th, 2007 at 6:29 pm