Guest Post, from Annie

Sometimes life can be difficult. That’s when it’s good to have a mom. –Kevin Morehouse, Age 10

I haven’t seen my mom since Thursday night, and I don’t like that much. For years, I have envied my local friends who have parents in town to pinch hit when things get a little crazy. They go for long weekends with their spouse, and leave the kids with their parents. Thanksgiving doesn’t require a plane ticket, and there is always someone crying sweet tears with them at school plays and ceremonies.

This summer, I was lucky enough to have my mom here—lending a hand, tearing up at kindergarten “graduation”, and helping with projects. One of the first nights that she was here, after she had cooked dinner for my girls and I, my Tiny Child very sweetly said as we were backing out of the driveway “it’s fun to have family it town”. Indeed.

If you know my mom, and you’ve been reading this blog, you likely know that a little over a year ago, I left my marriage. It’s been one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life—and difficult from many more angles than I ever imagined. Working outside my home is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. There is no one else to stop for milk on the way home if I forget it, help with hair washing, take kids to swim lessons, or help with the laundry. This summer however, I had help with all of those things and much more.

Thank you mom, for rearranging your life to come and help us out with ours. Thank you for taking such sweet care of my girls and of me. Thank you for trips to the bookstore, library, toystore, swimming pool, and playground. Thank you for dinners, and coffee, and your company. Thank you for helping with the GIANT project for First Grade, and lots of dog sitting too (Syd will never forget the Shredded Wheat and Chicken Stock supper you made her). Thank you for offering help that I never knew I needed, never would have asked for, and won’t soon forget. I love you. We miss you.

Could you come back now please?