Friday, January 22, 2010

Makes my Heart Hurt


This morning I had the opportunity to go to Lincoln's school for Mom's and Muffins. Being new to the whole school experience I didn't know what Mom's and Muffins were (dad's and donuts too). His teacher explained and I was excited to have a special breakfast with him. The parent brings some books, the school provides breakfast (non-nutritional :( ) and you read and eat together.
Lincoln was so excited to have me there. To show me his school and to have one on one time with me.
We grabbed our muffins and our juice/milk, first off we sit, Lincoln spills my milk all over the table and my coat and our books. It's fine, I get some cleaning stuff and get everything cleaned up. We start our fun breakfast. As I start to glance around I notice no one else is reading. I think, "maybe I'm not supposed to read." But we keep reading. As I glance around again I notice all the mom's are talking with other moms. I see two other moms in the whole group reading so I keep at it. Lincoln's snuggling and being so sweet. I notice a little boy (kindergarten age in Lincoln's class) playing with the garbage cans, while holding his muffin. Bouncing off the garbage cans. Rolling them, holding them and getting nice and germy along with his muffin. (grossed me out a little) They were right by us (I had good seats) I asked him if he had lost his mommy and he said, "no". He played with the garbage cans for twenty minutes.
It hurt my heart that other children were leaning over trying to listen to our story, that parents were on their cell phones, that moms were so oblivious to what was going on.
I know life is crazy, I know I don't know what it is like to have multiple kids, and I know I don't know people's lives. But my goal and my hope is I am able to keep in focus the reason I am a mom. It's not about me. My life, my goals and all is not about me. It never will be, that's not why I am here on earth.
On our way out, in the hall was a dad. He was eating and reading to his two kids. He looked awkward and self conscious in being there, but he was there, being with his kids. I wanted to hug him, tell him good job, tell him he makes me want to try just a little harder.
I came home and told Jared about my experience and he said it was the same way at the dad's and donuts, that he was reading to a bunch of kids while the dad's talked.
I'm grateful I have a husband that knows its not about him, and I am grateful for my children. I know so many would love to have their own children to raise, and I know it is miraculous that I have two to call my own.
---steps off the soapbox

13 comments:

Eve said...

Wow, that is a wake-up call. How sad for those other kids (especially the trash can kid!). I am going to try to remember this and play more with kids.

grandma blair said...

you are and always will be amazing

Cindy said...

That's funny, our girls had daddy/donut day today too. He is reading them The Cay, and I'm pretty sure they weren't playing with a trash can. They had to be there so early, it was cute that Lyss even got up before the alarm went off to have her date with daddy.

Sarah said...

How sad! Makes me appreciate my mom and dad who were always the parents that supported me. What a good reminder to be there for your kids!

Mom B said...

Anna you are an amazing mommy - and they are lucky to have you!

Dave said...

Um.. You must have a "Special" school. When we got to ours this morning (at 7:20am), the line was out the front door of the building with dads and their kids filing into the gym. We walked in the gym where everyone was sitting on the floor, shoulder to shoulder (Literally, it was packed) I saw all my buddies that were already there.. but they didn't see me because they were all reading to their kids. Everyone was reading to their kids that I could see. Must be a "Utah county" thing ;).

Anna said...

I think it might be a charter school thing. :) But If you are telling the truth I think that is awesome. :)

Juannaelmi said...

Wow! I think that is so sad. It is such a great idea, too bad the opportunity it provided was wasted for most of the parents.

Regina said...

We have been to a couple of those. It makes our kids day to go to their school and have that special time.

Jules said...

Loved this post Anna...had a little tear pop up...love seeing you be a mom, and I love how much you love and appreciate the gift of motherhood. Good job you...Lincoln and Ruby are lucky!!

Kim said...

Good for you Anna! Now I think I need to get off the computer and play with Emily who has been popping in and out of the room. It's amazing that even when we stay home with our kids we can miss out on those moments if we aren't careful. Cherish each of those "kodak moment" because they are hard to catch again.

red said...

We were lucky to have a Mom who came to school with us every day. (outside duty lady) now I have to go beat my children for not going to bed...the big one just woke up the little one...again. Reading to Michael is the best part of my day. i feel like it's the ONLY time where we really connect. I hope they do that at his school too. And you're a cute Mommy.

Dave said...

Anna it might be the charter school thing. I never went to one when Abby was at the other school. But, every year that I have gone in the past it's been the same thing, everyone is reading. Everyone knows they only have like 1/2 hr to read, and that's what they do.. read