Mom's Motto

There was a crash this morning while I was upstairs getting ready. One of those glass shattering, mom-cringing crashes. As I ran down the stairs to investigate... I already knew what I was going to have to say. It is the same thing my mother has said over and over and over again as she raised a house full of eight rambunctious, very active children: "It's a good thing I love kids better than I love things."

Sometimes it was said with gritted teeth. Sometimes it was sighed with tears in her eyes... but she always said it. When I was the child that had just broken a treasured item, I was so grateful for my mom's "motto." She would say it as she looked down at the pile of shards, and I knew that she meant it. I would still feel horrible for causing the tears or the deep sigh. But I knew that my mother loved me.

As a mother now, I am even more grateful for her "motto." How easy it might be to shout or get after my children for their carelessness when something is broken. But because of my mother's example and especially her motto, I am ready with my response.

The crash this morning was one of my "somethings special". I'd received it for my wedding. It was pretty as well as useful. My daughter had the most crestfallen look on her face when I entered the room. She is a tender heart and a cross word can send her into the "depths of despair." I sniffed a little tear back, said the motto, and we clean it up.

I love you Mom!