“Ordinary day, let me recognize the treasure you are. Allow me to learn from you, cherish you, and honor you before you fade away. Don’t let me overlook you in pursuit of some extraordinary tomorrow. Let me embrace you while I can, for you may not always be here. One day, I will wish to dig my fingers into the earth, bury my face in a pillow, stretch myself out, or raise my hands to the sky, yearning for nothing more than your return.” – Inspired by Mary Jean Irion
Motherhood comprises a myriad of days. We have days that shine and days that stumble, but the majority are simply “ordinary” days. These are filled with routines, nap times, cleaning up after little ones, and navigating the nightly negotiations of bedtime. They are days brimming with laughter and tears, tickles and tantrums.
Ordinary days in motherhood can be a blend of chaos, wonder, monotony, and joy, all at once. That’s the essence of normality when you’re a parent. However, we can sometimes find ourselves feeling disillusioned with certain aspects of these normal days. The chaos can seem overwhelming. The tantrums can test our patience. The repetitive tasks can feel like they’re wearing us down, drop by drop.
Normal often doesn’t feel pleasant. The nightly interruptions to nurse or soothe can weigh heavily. The mornings filled with sleepy children scrambling for shoes can become frustrating. The evening struggles with homework or sibling squabbles can feel exhausting.
How many times have we wished away those ordinary moments? How often do we long to leap forward to “some extraordinary tomorrow?” I find myself doing this more often than I’d like to admit. When I’m washing dishes for what feels like the hundredth time, or reminding my kids to throw away their snack wrappers yet again, or hearing “Mom!” from a bedroom when they’re supposed to be asleep, I catch myself wishing for a future where my family’s needs aren’t so relentless.
Yet, even while acknowledging the relentlessness and weariness of these demands, I pause to take stock. I capture a mental snapshot of this ordinary day and remind myself that there may come a time when I’d give anything to return to this moment.
It’s not just a whimsical thought. I think about my friend Lisa, a single mother whose only child faced an inoperable brain tumor. I reflect on their days—from the moment of diagnosis to the struggles they faced during treatment and the heartbreaking day her son passed away at just 12 years old. How she would long for an ordinary day.
I recall my own family’s experiences during my sister’s challenging battle with pancreatic cancer, where every day felt anything but normal. And I remember the shock of losing my uncle when I was just ten, how it shattered my world.
I think of those enduring war, famine, and poverty, of refugees seeking safety and a semblance of normalcy. I think of those grappling with sudden loss, unforeseen trauma, or close calls.
And in that moment, despite its tedium and frustrations, I feel a surge of gratitude for this ordinary day. It’s not to say we shouldn’t express our frustrations or that we should compare ourselves to others who may be struggling more. The comparison game is unhelpful; our feelings are valid.
But there’s a special beauty in recognizing the gift of an ordinary day. Even if it’s more trying than joyful, even if the daily grind is wearing us down, even if we desperately need a break from normal, the ability to call a day “ordinary” is a blessing in itself.
Let’s appreciate our ordinary days for the gifts they are. Let’s learn from them and express gratitude for what they offer. Let’s strive not to wish them away, as we can never know what tomorrow may hold.
“Ordinary day, let me recognize the treasure you are.” Indeed.
If you’re looking for more insights on navigating the journey of parenthood, check out our other blogs, including this one, which dives into the beauty of home insemination. For those exploring fertility options, Make a Mom provides excellent resources to guide your journey. Additionally, March of Dimes offers invaluable information about planning for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, let us cherish the ordinary days of motherhood, embracing their chaos and beauty, and finding gratitude in every moment.