Day is done...
It's the end of the day, and the house should be quiet.
Instead it's filled with the laughter of two teenage girls. My daughter and her best friend. I was sitting up here, not feeling all that well, my ear hurts and my throat as well and I was getting irritated at them being too loud downstairs. Then I just sat here quietly for a moment and I couldn't help but smile. Life was so simple then you know? We had our whole lives ahead of us at 17. And mostly, I'm thankful that she's down there laughing and having fun, instead of being surly and defiant.
I know the teenage years are about being defiant, I think I wrote the book on it, but sometimes it wears so thin on me and she really makes me question if I'm doing all right. Then, I hear her laughing and I know, she's not so sad as I think. Being a teen these days is harder than when I was young. I know this. And she's a good kid basically.
It was weird, today she had to go get some cavities filled. Her very first ones ever. She was scared and wanted me in the room with her. She gave me those puppy dog eyes and said "Mom will you please go in with me". I did not hesitate and said yes. She could not possibly know (because I try not to force my fears on my kids) that I'm deathly afraid of the dentist. But I went in with her. I stuck my nose in my book as they numbed her with the shot and again as the instruments came out, but I always seemed to sense when she was looking me way and would look up and smile to her. She did wonderfully and afterward we went to get ice cream together. One of her friends even called on her cell and she told them she couldn't talk now, she was spending time with her mom.
Right then I knew it would all be all right. That we would have rough years ahead of us, but that we would make it because she gave up talking to one of her friends, to completely be with me. And her fears as well as my own of the dentist were well worth it to share this moment.
So I am about to go downstairs and smile at the silliness downstairs, but also remind her that her brother is trying to sleep. Day is done, but life is good!
Ta ta for now,
Carol