When I tried to decipher motherhood…

Moving from our home, we were packing all the old boxes of stuff that we should have thrown away years ago. I stumbled across some old papers, which I had written many years before.

I thought that I would share this one which I wrote for my lovely wife, when she was young and having trouble coping with motherhood. It was of course some time ago, our youngest is now 34.

She like many others stayed at home to be a mother to our children. I would come home from work and when we put the kids to bed she would sit on the lounge and cry about her day, and say things like:

“You wouldn’t know what it was like” and “You get to go to work all day and get away!”

So when she went to bed I wrote the following piece. The next night when she was upset, I gave her a copy of what I had written, called “I’m just a Mother”.

I’m Just a Mother 

It’s six a.m. and once again in my ears the ringing clock spears.

Just one more moment before the chilled air, this bed feels like I’ve just got here.

Another day just like any other, cleaning and washing, for I am just a Mother.

Breakfast to get, lunches to make, I sometimes wonder if it’s all a mistake.

Others always have time to spare, find time for shoe’s and hairdressers too.

My time seems to go, nowhere.

My man’s off to work where he stays all day, seems he is always getting away.

Baby crying now, for bottle and drink, another dirty plate soon graces the sink.

Bathed and dressed there is often tears, I haven’t had a day off in years.

“Now don’t get dirty.” I say with a growl, collecting up all wet towels.

Out in the yard in dirt, sand and sun, growing quickly is son number one. 

Now what comes first, sweep, dust or wash. 

Baby is crying for attention; guess I’ll just skip lunch again. 

Washing to hang, nappies to dry, was that a thud? Did my boys cry?

It’s late afternoon, I’ve food to prepare, and another day has gone, nowhere.

In the bath again, before Daddy gets home, now the baby has been awaken by that damn ringing phone.

“How was your day?” a kiss at the door, sometimes I wish he really knew the score.

Cleaning up done, now for five minutes rest, ‘Be a good boy, not a pest’.

With sparkling eyes, that flashes in the light. 

He cuddles to my side and I hold him so tight.

His skin is so clear, his hands so small, how could this day be lost at all.

His little eyes stare straight into mine, “I love you Mummy” he says so sincere.

With a gentle squeeze, I fight back a tear.

For a love and pride that my heart had never known, until these tiny children entered our home. 

Although I get angry when you don’t understand, and often smack with my too ready hand.

With great pride and love for you and your brother, if I had to choose between this life and any other. 

I would stand proud and say, 

“I’M JUST A MOTHER.”

I obviously knew nothing about my wife, because when she read it, she still cried anyway…

Struth, what was a man to do?