Mommy Medicine

Even though I have always been one to treasure my time alone, and I have the freedom that I longed for when my kids were constantly around, I still miss the day-to-day interaction with knowing where they are and that they're safe. I miss being able to talk to them and give them a hug whenever I want.

My kids were athletes in high school. Kara, my oldest, was very tough. She had broken ankles, head injuries, and all kinds of bumps and bruises.

She recently broke her toe. Her husband called and asked if I could watch the kids while he took her to the ER. One thing about Kara is that if she is willing to go the ER, it's serious. I am never alarmed until she says she should see a doctor, so of course I rushed right over.

When I got there, she was sitting calmly with her baby in her lap. The second she saw me, she crumbled. Now, I know it's a terrible thing to say but moment was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. Not because she cried of course. It was because that was the moment when I knew that no matter what happened, my role as mom is equally as important today as it was when they were living under my roof. So when I walked in and she crumpled I knew that she needed some "Mommy Medicine."

When my kids would get sick or hurt, I would give them what I called "Mommy Medicine." Mommy medicine is when I would kiss their boo boo or hold them while they cried, or gave them an encouraging hug. Kara always responded well to Mommy Medicine. She could be coughing up a lung and if I came in to lie down with Mommy Medicine, she would instantly calm down and manage to get some sleep. So whenever Kara acknowledges that she is hurt or sick, I intend to be there to give it to her.

Turns out her toe was pretty severely broken. I came over every day that first week to help with the kids and do laundry so she could rest and recover. Now I know why people have kids when they're young! By the end of the week, I was exhausted! I have no idea how I managed a household and two kids. Clearly I don't want her to get hurt again, and I really don't want to do it every day, but in the moments after her injury and during that week, it was good to jus to be a mom again.