Tonight was the premiere of Parenthood on NBC. I had seen several of the commercials for this new show – and I had planned on watching it. This morning, I came down with what I suspect to be a mild case of the flu. Swine or otherwise, I felt absolutely miserable and spent most of my day on the couch.Fortunately, at the start of the show, my Motrin kicked in and I was up and ready to watch.
The show took me through a wide range of emotions – I laughed, I cried…I felt despair and anguish. I couldn’t help but imagine my future with Rosie & RJ and wonder what bumps we would face. I have these two little children who are as close to perfect as you can get – but someday these angels will be teenagers. Where will that take us? Will my future Olympic hockey player decide to play soccer instead? Or dance? What if RJ decides that basketball is his thing? Will we become basketball fans?
So these questions ran through my flu-fogged brain as I watched Parenthood. And then I started to think about my day – I woke up feeling fairly miserable and got worse as the day went on. RJ cooperated with me beautifully and took two naps, during which time I napped as well. Rosie, who had no interest in napping, sat in bed with me during my first nap and watched Sesame Street while holding my hand. During my second nap – on the couch – she sat on the arm of the couch and stroked my hair while she watched Shrek. Any time I moved I would hear her say “it’s OK, Mommy – go back to sleep.” She did her best to keep me sleeping until RJ woke up – and which point she nudged me awake and said “Mommy, I’m sorry to wake you, but I think I hear RJ and he is calling for you.”
As I sat huddled on the couch underneath several blankets and a heating pad, I couldn’t help but marvel at the wonderful children before me. I watched them play together, care for each other and care for me. Rosie would get up and get RJ more water – RJ would come over every few minutes to give me one of his wet and sloppy kisses. Rosie would sporadically shout “hey Mom – I love you!” Both kids came over just to give me hugs many times.
So – what is parenthood? Parenthood is worrying over your son’s bowed legs and inward-turned toes. Parenthood is explaining to your three-year-old daughter that it is not OK to hit, ever, even if someone hit her first. Parenthood is crying to yourself over the seemingly harsh punishment you just dealt out because you couldn’t let your kid see you sweat and you knew it was for the best. Parenthood is losing sleep and laughing so hard you nearly pee yourself. Parenthood is being proud of the smile lines on your face. Parenthood is completely giving of yourself for someone else without even realizing it.
Most importantly – parenthood is the most wild and most amazing ride you could ever have the pleasure of being on. To my wonderful Rosie girl and my sweet RJ – I didn’t know how much I was missing until you both came into my life. There is nothing more wonderful than being your mom and there is no place I would rather be than with you.
