Kevin Carroll at Blissdom taught me the importance of "PLAY". His story is an amazing testiment of how he was able to recognize the meaning of play and has grown his life and career around it. I left his talk inspired.
Fast forward to reality. We live in Texas. The weather this winter has been insanely cold and we have our 3rd snowfall of the year. We are usually lucky to have 1 light dusting. Who loves snow more than anyone that I know? My daughter Z. She talks about snow year round. In the dead heat of summer she once asked if God could make it snow. On her letter to Santa Clause (Mr. S.C. as she this year referred to him as), she wrote wanting snow. She just loves snow.
Yesterday morning, we were up and ready early. I knew the line to drop her off at school would be insane, so prepping for that – Sean started my car, I got ready, she was dressed and fed – I ran downstairs to get out of the house — "where is Z?". "OH she is outside." I open the front door to find my snow-obsessed child, making snow angels in cotton pants. She is drenched, her coat is NOT made for snow, she has grass in her hair – UGH!
The next 10 minutes were not the finest in my list of top "Mommy Moments". She had to change, which entailed finding clothes, we were now officially running late. Every once in a while to be a little late is fine, but between this pregnancy and my husband’s Ambien – she has been late by 2 minutes too many times.
The ride to school wasn’t pretty. I was angry, rushed and not in a happy mother mood. I dropped her off and then it set in. The it being GUILT.
I kept thinking of Kevin’s talk. Play, kids need play. Especially my little Z who is a ball of life. All she wanted to do is experience the snow she had dreamed of. It was like giving me an iPhone – after praying and begging for it – but not letting me play with it. What kind of mother had I become!?!?
The 15 minute ride to work and my emotional state wasn’t pretty. Totally felt like a MOMMY FAIL. The day went on at work and I had an email come in from Z’s teacher with the attached:
Apparently the screams of 22 children needing to play in the snow was heard. Z’s class had a snow party outside, and she was able to play in her beloved snow. Thankful for a teacher that recognizes the power of play, even if it was possible implemented by the constant annoyance of little kids BEGGING to go outside.
Yesterday a co-worker who I rarely work with sent me a DM tweet with the following:
Happens to the best of us sometimes. Beauty of kids is they forgive easier than we forgive ourselves.
This made my day. Truthful words of encouragement.
As God forgives me – so do my children. When I picked Z up, I apologized. She was so excited to go home and play she just kept saying "it’s okay Mommy". I do know that forgiveness will not be as easy as soon as puberty hits. So I’m going to enjoy and relish in their innocence now.
Another life lesson learned from parenting and a lesson to remind myself. Enjoy the day. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Embrace the opportunity to play. Innocence is bliss.
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