Last night was an unproductive one. It was one of those nights where there were so many things on my quick-the-kids-are-asleep-to-do-list. Instead time was vapourised by the internet, let’s be specific and completely honest here, stalking people on my arch nemesis, he-who-shall-not-be-named…too bad – Facebook.
It started with posting a quick Happy Birthday message on an old friend’s wall, which led to trawling through their timeline of pictures, which rapidly led to stalking female high school friends and acquaintances (the people you never truly connected with). Despite which ‘clicky’ group they may have belonged too or how much I envied them for their ‘coolness’ then, there was one beautiful thread that was suddenly evident, something that is now holding us all together in an intimate closeness we would never realise – motherhood. I was suddenly connected to these former teenagers as a woman. A mother. I was looking at photos of mothers with their children. It was a really vivid moment, a strong almost tribal one. A resonation in the soul. It grounded me. Motherhood is beautiful whoever you are – friend or foe.
So I rewrite my opening sentence. I was productive. I enhanced my heart with warmth and friendly compassion for those mothers I knew in a different life and didn’t understand, and today don’t know but understand completely. Thank you for opening my eyes, reminding me of the beauty in this journey and what a privilege it is to call these two little munchkins mine. I held them a moment longer tonight and I didn’t write a list.