A Happy Mother's Day

Sometimes I can still be surprised.

Yesterday, while working my way through a 12-hour shift, I joked with my sister (via text) about what we wanted to do for Mother's Day. I wrote to her that I wanted feel well rested, and have a cup of tea on the deck. I wanted to relax at home without having to look at all the chores that I did not get to during my two days off this week. I wanted to catch up on the projects that I have been wanting to work on with the kids, without feeling like I should be doing something else. I also wanted to be able to remember what these projects are.

She threatened to forward the message to my husband in an attempt to make this dream come true. I begged her to delete the message and forget such silliness, which she did...or did she?

When I got home last night, I found the children bathed and ready for bed. My husband had attacked the four loads of laundry that I had left unfolded on my bed, and my daughter had put away her clothes and her sister's. They had cleaned their room, which had been impenetrable when I left in the morning, and made me a "Welcome Home" poster (I rarely work 12-hour shifts).

This morning I did not have tea on the deck, because it came to me in bed...courtesy of my husband. I drank it while reading a book with a cozy child curled up on my lap. Breakfast was a well tended to teamwork affair, for which I did not have to lift a finger.

I could have stayed home relaxing, but the day was too splendid to stay in. We headed for outdoor fun instead.

...but the point is I had the option. The point is that this man, who is normally too self-absorbed to realize that I may need a break, in essence read my mind. I trust that my sister did not forward my message. He would not have done this if he thought it was what I was expecting of hoping for. He likes to get credit for doing things on his own accord.

Well, if it's brownie points he wants, then brownie points he gets for this one! I had a very happy Mother's Day, and I didn't have to ask for anything.