Why I Keep Repeating Myself

Today has been one of those years.

Y’all ever have one of those?

I was waiting on a service person to come out to the house.  I’m sitting here eight hours later, and still nothing–not even a phone call.

I was trying to motivate folks to clear a path so the person could actually get to the place that needed tending to.

I was also attempting to educate all the little people.

And so, today, I found myself thinking of the Goose from Charlotte’s Web.  And I felt empathy and kinship and I’m pretty sure she is my–and every mother’s–spirit animal.

Why?

Because she repeats herself

Often.

Often.

As I repeated AGAIN what pages to read or gave out my preferences about the relocation of the Legos for the umpteenth time, she came to mind, and I smiled.  I was weary, but I was smiling.

Because she understands.

Last week I got so tired of repeating myself, I put school lessons off and we focused on picking up, cleaning, and culling outgrown clothes and toys.  For two days straight, we worked and picked up and I was starting to feel a little better about the house.  And stuff.  I sat down to put my feet up for a minute in the only quiet room in the house.  That was when I heard Cooter come in.  *sigh*

“Buddy, please go in the other room and do what I asked you to do.”

“But, but, I’m doing this.”

I looked over where he was plopped down on the rug.  With a notebook.

“I asked you to finish picking up your Legos.”

“Nooooo.  I want to do my Math!  Please let me do my Math.”

Wait.  What?

After I finished laughing at the irony, we had a little lesson about applying yourself in school and how important that is if you want to have a say in what you do as a grownup.  (Granted, not much say, but he doesn’t have to know that right now.)

My children now refer to it as the time they had to do “manual labor.”  Amazing what a motivator that has become for doing their lessons.

Still…..after this day of repeating myself more times than Ms. Goose, I am thinking we might be due for another day or two of that.

Because apparently these creatures I live with need things REPEATED. Often.

May you all find someone who will hear you the first time.  At least once.

At least once.

Love to all.