No.Nonsense.

I waited a long time to be a mom. I went through a lot to be a mom. I wanted nothing more than to be a mom.

And then I did become one and I realized how flipped my priorities became.

I had other ideas in mind for today’s column. I even started to write one of them, only to dump it in the little trash icon.

Why?

Because my brain was not engaging with the topic and my words were all jumbled. I couldn’t make cohesive thoughts- because my mind was focused on my sick son.

Oh, it’s just a virus- one of those times when all the swabs come up negative and you just have to let it run its course. Nothing serious for my healthy near-teenager.

But he spent most of the day cuddled up to me while he slept. He let me hold his hand in the doctor’s office. He tolerated my endless touching of his face and forehead to see if the fever was spiking again. Because no matter how big he gets, when he’s sick he becomes my baby boy again.

In those moments, Mom’s life goes on hold and her kid becomes her main focus.

I have a job and a half that pay the bills. I have this column that gives me an outlet that I love. But my son, though, is my everything. I can’t always make the choice to stay home with him when he’s sick. The guilt is real when my checkbook says I have to work but my heart says I need to be home with him. I will be going to work the next day and endlessly check in with him- otherwise known by him as being a helicopter mom. But for one day, I’m here and taking care of him.

So today, there is no political discourse. There are no opinions forthcoming. There’s just a mom taking care of her son. And I am so very thankful to have the opportunity.