Someday, I’ll miss this chaos.

 

I’ll miss the pitter patter of little wet feet covered in dirt and blades of grass, jumping up and down on the newly washed floor, running around the house doing the pee-pee dance, screaming “Oh no, it’s a bumbling bee! A bumbling bee! And also, can we have some juice?”

 

Someday, I’ll miss getting hot and bothered in oh-so-totally the wrong way: wrapping them in scarves and hats and mitts and snowsuits inside a cramped hallway, only to learn once they are all dressed that they have to go pee.

 

Someday, I’ll miss the inevitable post-bed time, “I want a glass of water!” and, “There’s something under my bed!”  and, “One more story pleeeeease?”

 

Someday, I’ll miss the grossness of it all: the wiping of little bums and snotty noses; the Puke, Puke, Everywhere Puke, because along with the putrid comes loveliness: the unconditional love of butterfly kisses, of warm, unending hugs; of a small, sticky hand inside mine.

 

Someday, I’ll miss the impossibly early mornings, the insanely late nights, the flu bug the entire family battles. I’ll miss all the things I say all-too-often:  Don’t hit. Don’t shove. Share your toys. Eat your breakfast. Be good now. Do you have to go pee? No dessert until you eat your supper. Brush your teeth. It’s bedtime! No. No. I said No. Because I Said So!

    Someday, I’ll want it all back. The thousands of digital photos and movies won’t do this beautiful chaos any justice. The time is now, and it is fleeting.

 

Someday, I’ll want it all back. The thousands of digital photos and movies won’t do this beautiful chaos any justice. The time is now, and it is fleeting.

 

So when this chaos has disappeared from my life, this chaos I complain about a little every day, I will mourn for it with all my heart.

 

I will mourn for what I had but didn’t always embrace. I will mourn for what has flown away, for what has evolved into something even greater; into something I can only dream about.

 

Someday, I’ll miss this beautiful chaos.

 

from the bestselling Kindle & paperback colour coffee table book LEAP