Some days I wonder, how in the world did gloves, army men and cowboy boots end up in my room? I look under my bed and find batman socks, empty drink containers, toys, and all sorts of weird things. Currently I see a football and some Ninja Turtle men just mocking me.
I don’t even get mad at these things anymore. I know how they got there for the most part, and I know that they are in my room because that is where everyone wants to be. Yes, we could play cars in the playroom, or a card game in the kitchen, but for some reason being in mom and dad’s room is the place to be. Some days I wish that my room was the one place that does not have all those things. That it was the one grown up place where kids were not allowed. However I quickly take that thought back and realize they are there because they feel safe, and welcomed. I always want Lauren to come in and chat. I want Dylan to get me when he has a bad dream or wants to cuddle for no reason. I want Aaron to let me know when he is not feeling well or can’t sleep, and yes the rare occasion when he actually comes to chat.
I know there will be a time when my room will just be a grown up room. There will be no bad dreams, coughing spells, homework crisis and so on. So no matter how much some days I wish I did not have to pick up puzzle pieces off my floor before I go to bed so I do not step on them in the middle of the night, I will not complain. I will not wish it away. I will embrace the cowboys boots, toy doctor’s kit, transformer, hair brush and multitude of other things that accidentally get left behind.
Tonight my hope is just that even when there are no more reminders of the day, that my kids will always think I’m a safe place to go, and will still find a way to leave a ninja turtle or two behind.