My Sympathies

Today Josh and I went to meet Sanj for lunch. He was chatting with a patient. As usual he looks at Josh and says “this is my 6th son…” and then introduced me to the folks. As the lady was leaving, she nodded and said, “My sympathies.” Obviously this had to do with having 6 sons.

Let me tell you about my life with six sons…

I never thought of myself as a boy’s mom. I am not a girlie girl… but because I suck at all things athletic I figured boys would hate a mom like me. But as I had the boys… I figured that being a boys mom is not about playing the sports … but rather being willing to drive them, watch them, cheer for them… (which I do complain about doing many a time)… is the requirement. And in those moments when I do try a sport… they are full of advice, criticism and amusement!

I begin my day with a few climbing into bed with me (Sanj is off at the gym)… they will reach over and hold my hand and snuggle to sleep. Then the usual fighting over who gets a spot on our bed begins… the fighting and shoving … and then it is time to get up.

It is the usual ( I am assuming) battle to get everyone out the door. “Bye Mom…. Love you..”

Then it is Josh and I for the next 7 or so hours.

They come into the car… “How was your day… I’m hungry… Can we get a snacK?”

It is the after school running around and if we are lucky … we just go home.

At home they are off… some may watch TV to relax, others are outside in the snow… someone else is on the guitar.

I am discombobulated trying to get supper going … refereeing arguments… who is changing whose show… someone got a snowball inside their coat…

Supper… dishes, homework… showers … bed.

Somewhere in the chaos of my life… I am showered with “Mommy I love you! Mommy, I am sorry! Mommy, what do you what for Christmas? Mommy, what can I do to help you?”

Somewhere in this crazy day I hear stories of their adventures that made or broke their day. I hear from a parent or teacher the special thing one of my boys did. I feel the pride of being their mom 6xs over. Not too mention… there are MANY times in a day as they are doing the mean, annoying things that siblings do… Do I wonder… Am I doing it right? And really, I am not sure.

But when there are those bits of moments when I see that “Yah, it is alright” moment… I feel ok.. even if just for a few seconds.

So…offering your sympathies to me… that just burns me. You are insulting my precious gifts. You are insulting my ability to love them and mold them and though questionable at time… cherish every moment I am blessed with them. You insult my choice to have 6 wonderful children… that are cared for, feed, clothed, and loved.

How must your child feel … if they heard you?

There is nothing more precious to me then when one of my sons reaches for my hand and holds on. Just because… at that moment… they have reached INTO me and grabbed my heart.

So while you are passing on your sympathies… I am grateful for my overflowing cup of dirty hands, boogers, farts while the seat heater is on…the laundry (did I say that?) the muddy floors, the vehicles that are never-endingly dirty and full of toys and mitts and hats and yes socks… I am grateful for the 6 hearts that feed mine daily.