Sometimes the tedium of motherhood feels like more than I can bear. The constant hanging up of jackets and bookbags, tossed willy nilly as they come in the door. The constant reminder to put dirty socks in the hamper, their simple refusal to rinse out the sink when they brush their teeth. The dirty handprint on the light switch that nobody will claim as theirs, much less clean up.
I think these times are worse when I've had a weekend away. I lived a sort of fantasy life this weekend, a life where I had a chance to be just Leandra. Just me. Not mom. Not wife. Not daughter, not sister. Just me. I hung out with some really cool people and I talked about books and movies and art and nature and politics and music. As me. Just Leandra.
I did what I wanted to do. I went where I wanted to go.
That's one of the things I've been struggling with since turning 40. I've sort of forgotten what I like to do. I've sort of forgotten how to be me. There just doesn't feel like time to do all that the things that have to be done and all the things that I want to do.
I know it's just for a short time and the kids will be gone before I know it. I know I need to cherish these moments. And I do. I know being a mom means making sacrifices. I just didn't realize that what I would be sacrificing is me.
Mixed Bag
13 years ago
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1 comment:
Lately I have been thinking about some of Rosamunde Pilcher's characters with their little getaway mews in London & the rich gay boyfriend to squire them around to drinks & dinners...and also about Virginia Woolfe's idea of a room of one's one...AND about The Yellow Wallpaper~there is no room in my life that at least one person doesn't feel completely entitled to walk into at any time.
What I'm trying to say is, I agree with you 100%!
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