of crocs, floss and duct tape

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude."
-Cynthia Ozik

I got my red crocs for Mother's Day last year. Secretly: I didn't like them, and didn't really want them. But because I didn't want to hurt my childrens' feelings, I put on my best smile and embraced the wearing of plastic shoes with enough sweetness to make your teeth hurt. Now? I'm finding that I've worn them so much over the past year that I'm mourning my future without them. They have holes in the bottoms and have worn very thin in other places.

I am also grateful for floss. (Mom? Are you reading this?) I used to hate it enough to wrap and wrap and wrap the little box around a very heavy rock and toss it into the nearest stream (or toilet). I had to spend an entire summer walking a mile each way to the dentist every morning after breakfast just to brush and floss my teeth because I lied about using it, when 13 cavities between my teeth told the real story.

Duct Tape. Need I say more? When you're out of duct tape, it's like not having milk in the house. I used to think about doing the following, but never acted on it:

But mostly what I'm grateful for, that I take for granted on a daily basis, is the time I get to spend being a mother. Every single minute is a gift. Even the rotten ones. I am at peace with my chaotic, cluttered, unorganized home when I look around and see evidence of the children that live here. I know that this is what's right for me.

I'm humbled by and grateful for my badge of motherhood.