Earlier this week I went to my first teacher meeting for my summer school teaching position. As I closed the front door on my boys and their aunt and uncle and walked out to the car, I have to admit I was a little teary. Not because I was worried about the babysitting abilities of my brother and his wife. My boys had a great time! I was just emotional about the prospect of going back to work…even if it’s only for five weeks out of the year.
I had to keep repeating to myself on my drive to the meeting, “I want to do this. I want to do this.”
The drive home was a lot different, though. The meeting got me so excited about the summer. It made me remember how much I enjoy teaching and how much I miss it. It made me remember who I am outside of being two precious boys’ mamma.
I felt like I came up for a big gasp of air when I hadn’t even known I was under water. I felt content and free.
Don’t get me wrong. I think that caring for my two boys is one of the most fulfilling things I will ever do with my life. I’m so blessed to be able to stay home with them. But I’ve just had a need recently to see myself through something other than the spit-up and finger-paint stained Mommy lens.
The five weeks I work this summer will be hard, but they’ll be worth it. And then I’ll come home and give my boys as many kisses as I can before they squirm away.