My daughter has allergies to food and environmental factors, some of which can be life threatening. Others are delayed reactions that present themselves in form of an itchy rash that keeps her up at night itching.
The challenges that we have been through and are going through really make me appreciate life and the gift of my beautiful daughter. It makes me savor the moments that really take my breath away. Right now, as I am writing this post, my daughter came up to me and kissed me on the cheek. What a blessing she is.
This morning, after a long night of tug-a-war itching, she woke up grumpy. I wasn't surprised, who would be happy if they had their sleep interrupted by itching? She wanted to sleep. I smiled at her, and as I saw the lines around her mouth slowly curling into a smile, she reached over and patted my chest, "Mom-mom" she said.
My daughter sleeps with us. She really appreciates it, I know, and moments like these make me realize it. She may not be able to say "hey, mom, thanks for taking care of me" but she does express it.
And I think she knows that I am thankful for her. Every minute of everyday.
I am a stay-at-home mom, and love it, but it does come with challenges. I have heard many a stay-at-home moms complain that people think they "do nothing all day" and that it is "easy" because they get to stay at home. Those people must not realize that the job of a stay-at-home mom is 24/7, you don't leave the desk or get a lunch break. So, if you know a stay-at-home mom, then say something nice to her next time you see her. Or if you are one, then kudos to you and if you aren't one, then kudos to you too. We are all good mothers after all, whether we work inside or outside the home. No one is better. We are all just doing what we think is best.
-heather
