Mermaids and Miracles

Our family recently returned from an annual camping trip with extended family at a lakeside State Park.  The novelty of renting a camper had the kids quite excited!  We were looking forward to spending time with family and swimming in the lake.  When we arrived, however, we were informed that it was questionable whether the lake was a safe place to swim due to low water levels and something called “blue algae” that can make people very sick.  After learning this, we made the decision not to let the kids swim.  (It was over 100 degrees all three days we were there, so this was hugely disappointing!)  Despite the lack of swimming, we enjoyed visiting with family, playing games, and exploring nature. 

 A few days had passed since our return home from this trip, and, out of the blue, Charlotte stopped mid-Lego-building and asked “Mommy, why didn’t we go swimming on our camping trip?”  I explained that there was something in the water that could make us very sick.  I also shared that our cousins had seen snakes in the lake.  She turned to look at me, her big, blue eyes glistening with wonder, and said… “and mermaids”?!  I had to take a moment just to soak in this precious moment of awe, as Charlotte offered this dreamy 4-yr-old possibility.  I also wanted to tread carefully with my answer, so as not to snuff out the wonder in her countenance.  “I didn’t hear of any mermaid sightings this tip,” I replied, with a tender smile.

 You might be wondering:  What do fictional mermaids have to do with actual motherhood? 

 I’m glad you asked.  😊  The answer is in the possibility.  In the wonder.  In the everyday miracles. 

 You know the kind… your baby has been screaming for the past hour and a half and you are about to lose your mind, but just on the brink of your mental breakdown, she decides that she indeed wants that bottle, and in so drinking calms down.  Or, your sleep-regressing toddler who has not slept through the night in the past month finally decides that tonight is the night!  Or, your dear daughter who refuses to wear anything but a dress, but it is below freezing outside… agrees to leggings with the dress.  Or, the day your toddler finally decides to use the potty with no accidents.  Or, your introverted middle-schooler, who barely responds in conversation, decides to engage, and open up as you sit with him at bedtime.  Or, your elementary schooler finally remembers to take her library book on library day!

 These are the mermaids in motherhood.  The moments that offer the possibility of something new.  The moments that seem fictional, when we imagine them, because they feel just out of reach.  The moments that we can hold loosely with awe and wonder.

 Whatever your stage of motherhood, may we continue to journey together, holding onto the idea that everyday miracles might be just beyond our sight.

Photo credit: @rozetsky