This week has been busy. Full of the good, the mundane, the rush. A list of errands that requires six different stores on opposite sides of the city, some larger house chores that seem to always land on the same week, and the constant 'on-call' driving service I provide to my little social butterflies. It was a good week, but I was spent. It was 7:00pm, I had fed my humans, my list was accomplished, and I was dreaming of the melty feeling of being immersed in cool sheets and dimly lit quiet. Momma was done.
But just as I was about to announce my retirement from the day, my 15 year old bounded into the room with that exuberant smile.
"Mom! Can my friends come over in an hour? It's one of their birthday and they asked if they could spend it here?"
I took a deep breath, felt my dreams of soft pillows drifting away, and smiled.
"Of course."
This particular friend is not only lovely and kind to everyone he meets, but he also has a bummer home life. His father died 3 years ago, and his brothers have not handled it well. Home has become a very stressful place for him to be and he spends quite a bit of time at our house. We haven't known him very long, only a few months actually, but he has shown us his beautiful heart. He is extremely well liked by his peers and leaders. He's the guy who all the kids want to be friends with and the leaders pull to the side to tell him all the potential they see in him. He's a good one. And it was no small honor that he decided he wanted to spend his birthday at our house. I could see it in my daughters eyes. This was a big deal.
I flat out did not have the energy or time to run to the store, so I started digging through every cabinet in the house trying to scrounge up some semblance of pomp and circumstance. I found a polka dot flag banner, a box of angel food cake mix (which doesn't require eggs thankfully cause we were out), five birthday candles and a can of whipped cream. I handed my daughter a piece of paper and she drew a quick happy birthday sign. We taped up the banner and sign, quickly mixed and poured the cake mix into cupcake tins, did a whirlwind tidy up, and made it to the door just as they all arrived.
They laughed, they sang old Disney songs off key at the top of their lungs, they ate 18 giant angel food cupcakes, smothered in whipped cream, in shockingly little time. There was jubilee.
By 10:00 I was having trouble keeping my eyes open. This was not the night I planned. My 'job' was done for the day. I had done my duty. I had done it well. I had accomplished my goals, check marked my lists, bestowed wisdom upon my little humans. I was finished. I deserved that soft pillow against my cheek. I had earned it.
I wandered into the kitchen to wash a few dishes. They didn't know I was in ear shot. I overheard their conversation.
"This is the best birthday I have had in 5 years."
My heart broke. This was our left overs. This was what we could scrape together with moments notice. This was a hand written sign and the only baked good in the house that didn't require eggs.
This was our little, but to him, it was much.
I was so humbled in that moment.
I think sometimes we feel like our little is not nearly enough. We are presented with people all day, everyday, who have problems. Big problems, complicated problems, hard problems. And it can be intimidating. It can feel impossible that we might be able to affect change in any real way. I can't bring this boy's father back to life, I can't solve his family tensions, I can't say the right thing to erase the years of hurt from his heart. But this day, this night, when I was tired and clumsy and out of eggs, I could do something. I could rise to the occasion and do something.
Your little is worth something.
It might seem little to you, but it might be everything to them.
nice :), thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
You are a beautiful writer. And this is a beautiful story, good on you for doing something and creating this experience for your child's friend. And for yourself. This really hit home for me and I appreciate you taking the time to share! So glad I'm following!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate hearing how the story impacted you. Thank you for sharing!
Wow 😊What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing
Thank you!
wow @kristin.nova What you did for that boy seems so simple but for him it's a memory he will forever treasure. It was a great reminder to me that even if I'm sleepy, I can still make a difference... like giving kudos to you on this wonderful post.
Thank you so much for the encouragement : )
This made my heart melt! That memory is probably something he will cherish for a long time, if not for the rest of his life! It's amazing how the little things can make such a difference to others. I think it was Mother Theresa who said something like, "Do small things with great love." Beautiful thoughts to start my day! Thank you!
I love that quote! Thank you for sharing! I'm so glad you liked the post
Very touching @kristin.nova. It's the little things that add up and by the time you know, we have moved mountains! Thanks for sharing this.... I feel like doing something that can make a difference too :)
Thank you!
These are the things which make for a joyous present and future.
I find myself wondering if the letters LDS mean anything to you.
Thank you for the encouragement. I honestly have no idea what LDS means. : )
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STOPExcellent writing. :)
Resteeming this to 14,000+ followers.
Thank you so much! That's so encouraging! I appreciate the kindness!
Its very inspiring..
This made my heart soften! That memory is most likely something he will value for quite a while, notwithstanding whatever remains of his life! It's stunning how the easily overlooked details can have such an effect to others. I think it was Mother Theresa who said something like, "Do little things with awesome love." Beautiful contemplations to begin my day! Much obliged to you!
Thank you so much! I love that quote! Thank you for sharing
Please follow and upvote my posts. I have also done so.
This was a beautiful post.
I often try to keep things in perspective in different ways throughout my day-to-day life, and stories like this always help.
Sometimes what we think is next to nothing can make someone's day or more.
Although I must say, it sounds like you did a lot more than a little, here. Kudos to you for brightening the birthday of what sounds like a wonderful human being, much like yourself :)
Thank you! I feel like that internal struggle with my own selfishness often makes me almost miss opportunities. I wish I could say I always rise to occassion and do the right thing, but I'm trying to seize more and more opportunities as they come up
Nice ^^
Wow, that is a wonderful post that is so heartfelt, funny, sad, and such a perfect reminder that its the little things that matter most. :D
Thanks so much for sharing. :D Have an awesome day! :D
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it
:D
One thing I've learned is that kids don't often care about how much their birthday cost. Sometimes, improvizing leads to better memories than all the money in the world could buy.
This is a great addition to the #steemmoms tag!
Agreed!
This made me feel emotional. I also feel like you at the end of the day when my kids have gone to bed, like my 'job' has been done. But you were able to squeeze out some more energy , some more patience and some more love. That's what being a mum is all about, and it's not just about doing it for your own kids as you have shown. :)
Thank you for sharing, I think being a mom is such an unpredictable role. I feel like every day is a new adventure and challenge and opportunity
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Thank you very much!
I want to visit that place too! the potteries are so exquisite!
@kristin.nova