I am startled awake by a now familiar wail as my baby dictates it's time to get up. By the bare fade of sunrise I see my husband start to stir.
"Want me to get him?" He asks.
My relief is sudden and intense. "Oh that would be amazing," I say.
He pulls on a pair of jeans and shuffles out. I hear them both in the next room, my husband whispering what sound like questions and the baby cooing in response.
I close my eyes, allowing myself to feel how truly tired I am. The bed under me, the covers on top, and the dim light around envelop me like a womb. At this moment, my husband could not have given me a greater gift.
I think about how we are no longer two people going about our business alongside each other. We are like two sailors who have been tossed into the same skiff to navigate the waters of parenthood together, which can be at turns calm, choppy, or downright perilous. At this moment, with my eyes closed, I thank my lucky stars for my compatriot.
I really enjoyed your slice today. I am thankful also for my compatriot. People who have to go it alone are far braver than I and I'm not sure I could do it with as much strength as some do. Thanks for such a relatable insight into parenthood:) hope you enjoyed your few extra minutes in bed!
ReplyDeleteMotherhood is grand and full of wonderful moments. I have two daughters and could tell you oh, so many stories! I'm glad you have a great partner in parenting!
ReplyDelete"two sailors who have been tossed into the same skiff to navigate the waters of parenthood together" :) nice image, and this too: "my husband whispering what sound like questions and the baby cooing in response. " thank you
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! A metaphor can do so much! Two sailors in a skiff just about sums it up.
ReplyDeleteWith two little ones I'm sure the seas are even more choppy, and even more wonderful.
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