Sticky Sticky Fingers From Candy

Yogurt in the Hair!

Fingerprints everywhere. 

"Keep them," my Mother says. It's hard not to clean them off, but I put my rag and cleaner down with a sigh.

"You're gonna miss seeing them one day." She smiles looking at them. Little prints on the screen door, bathroom mirror, and TV screen. How are those sticky, sticky fingers from candy not driving her nuts, 'cause I'm about to lose it if I don't clean them off. What if someone unexpected comes over? They'll think I'm a mess--I like to pretend I've got it all together you know.

"Enjoy these little messes." She laughs as my daughter runs around naked, covered in finger paint, hair completely not the way I fixed it. I huff. It's like I clean, and clean, pick up, fix stuff, and then redo it over and over. How do I enjoy the messes? How is my Mom enjoying watching my kids make the messes?

It's because she has perspective. Wisdom. She has the ability to see past the now, through all the clutter, dirt, tears, stress and know what's really worth it...what it's really all about. Embracing the mess. And if I'm willing to listen to wisdom--it's a continuous prayer--then I can learn from my Mom, and from all the other Moms who are cheering me on...cheering all Moms on to have perspective. Life is Messy, but nonetheless beautiful.

Close friends of mine, musicians Matt & Joanna Black have a song entitled "The Sticky Fingers Song." Give it a listen...it helps me smile, and helps add a bit of perspective of the messes my kids make.

By: Hannah Conway
www.hannahrconway.com