"Hurry up please and finish," I said to my 10 year old daughter today. We have spent a portion of 2 days cleaning and de-junking her bedroom.
"Why do I always get to spend my breaks helping you with your room? It's about time you learn to clean and organize your own room," were other words the MyMy heard coming from my grumbling mouth.
Pulling everything from the closet and drawers, refolding clothing neatly, throwing away trash and organizing toys, books, trinkets and shoes occur every 6 months in the MyMy's room because she has a knack for keeping everything.
Her cute room, colored in pinks and purples, is a treasure of memories and items that she loves and adores. Every stuffed animal has a personal memory of why she still needs it. Notes from her friends, cards from her grandparents all remain close to her heart. Crafts, made from material, popsicle sticks, markers and glue remain on shelves because of the memory of making it is still so vivid in her mind. Everything has a story and because of that it is worth keeping.
Although I appreciate the MyMy's special care for her treasures, I grumble often at the chaos it creates. Today has been no different. I am always too quick to grumble when really, if I strived for patience, I would find and appreciate the joy in the moment.
The MyMy helped me find that joy today. I was humbled by a sweet and loving 10-year-old girl.
We found her karaoke player and found some really fun CD's to sing to. She allowed me to use the microphone. I became less bothered and stopped grumbling a little.
Then, I discovered a bin that had coins and a few dollars inside. On top was the scripture found in Matthew 28:19 about missionary work that she had found and written herself. I was surprised by this find. The MyMy has started a mission fund. I stopped grumbling and grew proud.
I found a Halloween story about a haunted house that was so full of description that I could really paint a picture in my mind. I didn't realize she was becoming such a great writer.
I also found a loose journal page telling about a time when the MyMy bought fish food and the cashier gave back too much change. The MyMy gave the money back and the cashier thanked her for her honesty. The MyMy stated that she felt very good inside. My thoughts were turned to amazement that she took the time to write that event down so she would not forget how she felt.
No longer did I see the cleaning of the MyMy's room as a nuisance and a burden. My grumbling stopped. I looked forward to finding the next treasure. A little love note written to her from her daddy. A picture that she drew and was really proud to share with me because she remembered taking a lot of time to make it perfect. I discovered a tile with her picture pasted on it stating that spirituality is a thing of beauty. She made it at activity days.
I counted her trophies as I dusted all 10 of them and placed all her ribbons in one plastic bag. I realized that she has had many awesome experiences.
I even felt bad for her when she lovingly and sweetly said "good-bye" to some of her stuffed animals that will no longer be a part of her life.
One of these days, all of those stuffed animals will leave my home, along with the trophies, the trinkets and papers. The pink and purple walls, and a heart filled with memories, will be all I have left. I don't know if I will be able to live without them, without her.
Now, I am grumbling that it is going much too fast.
"I love you MyMy," I said as I was leaving her room for the day. I am looking forward to my next break when I get to dig deep into the crevices of her life once again.