“Dogs need to sniff the ground; it’s how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard.” (Dave Barry)
Speaking of yards, I had a yard sale last weekend. A neighbor perused my junk, pulled me aside, and said, “Tell me. You’ve had a lot in your life and now you have a little. Is there anything about the old life that you miss?”
I didn’t even have to think about it.
Yes, I miss something. I know what it is and it crosses my mind every single day try as I might to not dwell on the past or think about my losses.
It’s true. I used to enjoy a lot, materially, in life: a decent-sized home with custom travertine stone floors, granite counters, custom cabinetry, Rembrandts and other fine art and etchings adorning its walls; art sculptures in the yard along with a Sportcourt, a swimming pool, ponds filled with expensive and unique Koi fish and water lilies, tetherball, a in-ground trampoline; world travel; cruises; fine dining; luxury cars; a boat; ATVs of all types; a motorhome (although I never loved that one!); shopping at Nordstrom; a house cleaner; a gardener; money in the bank and absolutely NO financial worries or concerns; and a plethora of other privileges, to name a few that quickly come to mind. All of it was once mine—or so I thought.
But do you know, out of all of it, what I miss? (And this is the answer I gave to my neighbor.)
Just one thing.
And it’s actually not a “thing.”
The only thing about the old life that I miss is…being a stay-at-home mom focused on raising my children and taking care of the home they live in full-time. Being there when they are sick. Greeting them when they arrive home from work or school. Allowing my little one to sleep in if he is tired.
That’s it.
“I’m a very lazy, stay-at-home kind of girl.” (Jerry Hall)
Except now I’m a full-time working one, grateful for a job that allows me to provide for my children.
“Not only is women’s work never done, the definition keeps changing.” (Bill Copeland)
Such is the unexpected life.
