By 1:00 on Saturday,I had listened to Samantha cry or whine for 18 hours, and I thought I was going out of my mind. Still complaining about her skinned hand from Friday, she had a new cough and a bloody nose from a fall earlier in the day. You could have told her she was getting ice cream, and she would have found a way to cry about it.
When I dropped Timothy off for AWANA games practice, I knew I couldn't sit there the whole hour watching him and listening to her wail. I thought the best bet was for Sam and I to at least go somewhere, get some drinks and kill time. But then she started crying because she had to go back to the car. After getting us both buckled, I sat there because I knew it wasn't safe for me to drive until she stopped crying!
Just then, my PRECIOUS friend Demi showed up to drop her son off. She came over to the car, thinking she was just coming to chit chat. All I could get out was, "She's been crying for 36 hours" before I lost it. Demi said, "Samantha, would you like to go for a walk? Alicia, you just stay here as long as you need." I didn't argue. I didn't say I was okay. I didn't even say...
I just need 10 minutes.
But that's all I needed. I sat there and let myself cry over nothing really but the incessant whining of a 3 year old. But that's what I needed to do. And once I had cried HARD for 5 minutes or so I took another few minutes to pull myself together. Then, I could look at my daughter once again. No, the rest of the day was not cry free, but because a friend cared enough to take my child for 10 minutes when I needed it most, I could manage it.
I had to let myself be helped.
8 comments:
I totally understand what you mean! You can only take so much before you just need a break. Thank God for your friend!
what an awesome friend. i hope i rmeember to be one like that. i'm sure that's GOT to be hard for you being a single mom these days. i'll pray for you.
Oh Alicia, my heart goes out to you (and Samantha)! Demi's arrival was a gift from God, right when you needed it most. And it's a good reminder to all of us that the smallest gesture on our part could mean the world to the other person! You'll make it, girl. Hugs from Kansas!
I totally understand the need for a break! My 2 1/2 year can push my buttons to the max. When I finally break, I usually end up crying in front of him...he always tries to comfort me! Reverse psychology! :)
Thank goodness for friends.
DeAnn
I HEAR YOU!!! Sometimes just five minutes is enough. And my kiddo is also a drama queen, so I understand. Skinned knees, hands, hurt feelings, etc, it's all a very dramatic event! Fortunately, these sensitive kiddos are also super loving too, sensitive to snuggles and smooches, other's feelings and are incredibly empathetic. I guess there is always that great balance in life.
So glad you have friends who can take over when you need those few moments to unwind, sob and recuperate. They are angels.
Sounds like God sent your friend to rescue you. Isn't God Awesome! He knows when we need a break.
M
So glad you had a friend that saw your need and met it! I've had days like that, and those kinds of friends are priceless.
Wow, sometimes that is all we need...glad that you have such a sweet friend.
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