Every once in awhile

Every once in awhile, my kids do something that makes me think I just may be doing okay at this whole motherhood thing.

Yesterday around 2pm, Polly Popular--oops--I mean Gracie called me on my cell phone.

"Mooommmyyyy...?" (I don't know why when my kids call me on their own they always draw my name out to about 6 syllables).

"Hi, Honey," I smiled.

"Can I go to Rachel's house? And we, well, maybe we might do a sleepover or else we might just do a playdate?" (8 year olds, even the most articulate and brilliant like my daughter, are still a little twitchy in their communications).

"Is her mom going to pick you up?"

"Yeah."

"Well, okay then. I'll call Rachel's mom later. Are you bringing all your sleepover stuff?"

"Yeah, but, Mo-om?" Her voice rose slightly. "It makes me feel kind of nervous in my stomach not to see you today, so can you come over to Rachel's and visit me?"

Warmth flooded me, with a guilt chaser. I leave for work before the ducks wake up in the morning. If they leave the house before I return, they really don't see me for the day. It stinks, but that's our life.

"I kissed you goodbye this morning, sweetheart," I told her.

"I know, but I will miss you," she said. Sweetest. Girl. Ever.

Eventually, we made arrangements for me to drive her to Rachel's after I got home, so she could see me before heading off to her sleepover. When I walked in, she met me at the door with a hug. "Can we go, now?" she asked.