Here Comes the Sun

By Amanda

I stretched my arms over my head and rolled over lazily pulling the overstuffed pillow into my body. I opened one eye and suddenly I noticed unusual peeking through the bedroom curtains- light. I panicked and grabbed the clock on my bedside table pulling it in closer to my sleepy eyes. It read 7:30 a.m. - I jumped up and threw the covers in a pile at the end of the bed. My heart was racing. I tried to focus my foggy brain. 

Clearly, something had happened to the children. They never slept this late on my day off from work. My two-and-half-year old had a childproof handle on the inside of her door so that she couldn’t wander around the house unattended. When she woke up, usually around 6:15 a.m., she would knock on the door and call my name.  My six-year-old would come to the side of my bed and tell me she was ready for breakfast. But on this day, there was no wake-up call, just glorious silence.

I ran into their bedrooms. Their beds were unmade, covers tossed aside, stuffed animals perched atop their pillows. And then I heard something, the tinkling of spoons against the edges of bowls, and something else, low, quiet talking and laughter. I ran into the kitchen not knowing what to expect. It took me a moment to interpret what I saw- there at the table sat my two girls, each with a full bowl of cereal and milk, a spoon and a cup of juice. They were eating breakfast without me.  Obviously, the older one had taken charge and served the meal. Sure, there were little milk puddles around the edges of the bowl and some stray cereal pieces swimming around on the table top, but to me it was a beautiful sight.

I got down on my knees and hugged and praised my six-year-old like she had just won an Academy Award or an Olympic Gold Medal. And believe me this was not about me being proud- this was about me realizing that I actually might get to sleep some mornings until the sun comes up. I felt like a P.O.W. coming out of the jungle after six years in the trenches. Finally, I had arrived. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it felt good.

Amanda lives in North Carolina with her husband and two daughters.

Comments

[Darci]

oh, yes that was a wonderful day when my daughter brought the Cheerios box in and very quietly asked for me to open it so she could feed her sister who was starving. I started leaving milk in a cup in the fridge and she would pour it into their bowls...very successful. Now they are 12 and 14 and are doing just fine.

[Robin P]

Lillianna tends to do this on the weekends when I am at work and she is home with Rich.
She did do this one day while I was in the shower and I almost burst into tears when I found her. Ok,she was 7 at the time and old enough to fix her own bowl of cereal but it broke my heart.
I felt like she was so independent,which is what I want.....don't I?
I think I'll go into therapy in 8 years when she gets her driver's license.

[Wellen]

Mother is so great!! T_T
Happy mothers' day, my great mother! I love you so much forever!

[BarbaraAllen]

That was a wonderful morning.

[amommyfox]

I started laughing out loud and almost started crying when I read the comment "I am counting the seconds until I never have to wipe another person's butt again" I thought I was the only person in the world who thought like that. I have four girls ages: 7, 6, 4, and 3. I know I will want these days back and they grow up way too fast. But right now years are flying but days are VERY long!!! Thanks for the comment it really makes me feel better.

[Laura Podolski]

I am always impressed how little children learn quickly to do things they want to do; oh but I cann't wait til my little girl will start cleaning her room on her own. She will be six in October and she can do the laundry because she likes to. I just want her to stay my baby and not get so independant so soon; but she is Miss Independant. I'm just a mom who is fearful she is going up to fast.

[candtsmom]

enjoy it while they are young they grow up way to fast

[Kris]

Aw. So sweet, isn't it? My boy is six and can get his own breakfast too. But his 4 year old brother is not to be trusted. And, unfortunately, my 10 month old is our earliest riser right now.

[Stacy]

That sounds heavenly!

[Michelle]

Now isn't that the best Mother's Day present ever? :)

[clickmom]

Isn't it the truth, just when you think you'll never enjoy of the pre-kid indulgences again those kids rise to the occasion. Good job girls!

Me personally, I am counting the seconds until I never have to wipe another person's butt again.

[Wendy]

Now that is something to look forward to!!