If I stopped for just a moment

If I stopped what I was doing and actually listened to my children as they played

I wouldn't hear a child coloring outside the lines;

I would experience a child creating a masterpiece.

If I stopped moving around so much and actually held my child when she got frustrated

I wouldn't be angry at her lack of understanding;

I would learn that my arms are a comfort to her.

If I stopped criticizing how my children mix the Play-Doh colors

I wouldn't see a giant mess;

I would understand that life isn't black and white ... it's purple mixed with green and rolled in teal.

If I stopped being so unhappy because of my responsibilities

I wouldn't raise my voice as often,

I wouldn't scold so easily,

I wouldn't so readily wish I was one of those supposed SuperMoms

And I wouldn't give a fuck if the toys never got put away;

I would simply enjoy the ease of being a child.

Adulthood cancelled: Mommy's taking a snow day

There are things from my childhood that will forever be ingrained in my memory.

• Kindergarten graduation and getting picked on for wearing a gingham check print dress (I loved that dress).
• Holding Greg's hand under the table (also in kindergarten) because he was picked on by the same kids.
• Making myself feverish and ill every day I had Physical Education until my dad went to school and fixed the problem - again, with the picking on!
• The sixth grade spelling bee ... and almost winning. I will never forget how to spell pennant. Ever.
• Summers by the pool.
• Winters sledding down Dates' Hill, shoveling the driveway and staying outside until I couldn't feel my toes.

No, not all my memories of growing up in that small town include getting picked on for one thing or another. After all, kids are mean and I'm an adult now. I can look past that. What I can't look past is the fun I had, sometimes with the very children who made fun of that cute little dress and that cute little boy.