After the kids were all in bed, I noticed a note on the kitchen bench. Written in felt pen on scrap A4 paper was a message for my husband from my teen. On top of the note sat a watch. The message was a simple request asking for Dad to fix something.
In the morning, I got up after my husband had already left for work and busied myself making that first cup of coffee for the day. I noticed the note still sitting there with the watch on top, but there was a little word added underneath in my husband’s handwriting. It said ‘done’.
I don’t know why I thought it such a triumph. But I did. I don’t quite know why I enjoyed the silent interaction so much. But I did.
I guess, as a mother, I see the intricate workings around me, and so very often, I have the role of engining the day-to-day runnings of family life and fostering relationships. It’s my privilege, and my burden. To see little going ons like this that have nothing to do with me, is a joy, because I see it as the workings of long-term investment and developed relationships within our unit. I love that! I felt a deep sense of pride that my husband took the time to notice and honour such a simple request.
It’s these little surprises that I treasure. The reflections. The stuff that comes back to you because of what you put in. Sometimes I draw on them when I feel down, or overwhelmed, or discouraged. Parenting is a long term journey, and sometimes I can’t see the fruit for my investment. And yet, the deep joy experienced – these triumphs, when they happen – are one of the most satisfying things in my life.
I shared this originally on my Facebook page and you can see it here.
2 Comments
Mandy Barbie Bieber and Beyond
June 30, 2015 at 1:05 pmI love this, the smiley face is so cute!!
T. Hall
July 25, 2017 at 5:07 pmWe have to communicate by notes to get anything achieved, not because my husband works or is busy but because unfortunately he suffered a brain injury during surgery and needs these notes as a reminder to achieve. But I encourage these notes so he can continue to be and to do ‘Daddy’ things and the children see no difference…Thank you for sharing this as I was able to show the children that others leave notes for their Daddys too xxx