Last night, the Twins’ Club/Mothers of Multiples meeting was at our house. It is a night when moms of multiples can blend in and connect with other Moms. I took pictures of some of the fall decorations that I put up before the party and then left my camera to the side. I felt it would have taken away from the moments that were being created.
Lately, the babies have been having ‘terrible twos’ moments where they cry and rage separately and together. I have been surprised by the volume of my own voice as I tell one standing on a chair in a precarious manner to ‘sit down’ while changing a diaper across the room. My husband Greg works far away and is gone for many hours a day. I look forward to the weekends when I can get out of the house with him. When the quad stroller recently broke it felt like my wings were clipped. My only way of getting out of the house with the babies by myself was gone. This weekend, my husband will be away. In my micro chasm, I brought out my violins and felt sorry for my confinement.
Last night was humbling. We have a mom in our club that has twins and two other children. This summer, her husband was diagnosed with lymphoma. Neither one has been able to work and will need to pay for a hotel for a month or more while he has chemotherapy, all while taking care of four children. The club did a bake sale fundraiser for their family and raised more than eight hundred dollars to help them. That Mom was at the meeting empathizing with me and with other Moms while her world is precariously in the balance and their expenses are skyrocketing. We have two Moms that have babies who have undergone heart surgery. One was recently handed a pager while her son was in surgery and told to think of it like the pager at a restaurant. There is no similarity to waiting for your table and waiting for your son to get out of open heart surgery.
I have four healthy babies and my husband and I are the center of their worlds. Some day, we won’t be. Their friends will take our place. There are far worse places to be confined. I had the honor of meeting many women with twins and two moms of triplets last night. The moms discussed their stresses and joys and opened their hearts to other moms. I am touched by how much these moms with full plates are willing to lend an ear and a hand to other families. They are always quick to say that other moms have it tougher than they do. I thank them for a wonderful evening and for helping me to put my violins back on the shelf where they belong.
oh yeah. I feel ungrateful for even owning a violin. Blessed with healthy children after a very easy high-risk pregancy? I've heard too many sob stories of late to ever dare own a violin
Beautiful post. It made me tear up!
Hi Olusola.
Yes, I wish I did not own violins too. But, I am human and they come out some times. I am grateful when I am reminded to put them away.
Thank you Leah.
You are one of the many people that remind me to put away my violins as you do so much to help others while you have so much on your own plate (including your son's history of an open heart surgery).
Very well put, it made me cry. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Thank you Jessica.
You have been through so much and your challenges continue each day. Thank you for being there. Your 'little fighter' is adorable and amazing.
This is an unbelievable post…last week I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house, where many families were staying witht heir kids who were either in the hospital, or were there recovering. I came home and cried for about 30 minutes because I felt so ungrateful for all I have been given.
My husband reminded me thought that we are allowed to get down as moms, but you have to take stock of your situation, and know that there is someone out there who has to fight a little harder…and get over your own situation a little bit faster.
I have to say, your house has a lot more holiday cheer than my house with just 2 kids at different ages 🙂
Thank you Dana.
It is wonderful that you volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house. I think I would have gone home and cried too. We are all human and will get down about our own circumstances at times, but I agree that putting it into perspective can change our focus (until the next time we need a reminder).
Beautiful words! Thank you! I needed to read this tonight!