Okay, so I'm not even sure if "witticism" is a word, but I wanted to give you guys a heads up that this entry is not going to be the same hilarious stuff I usually write about my kids - although I will throw in a story about Ben at the end, just because it is funny. I always say that I can't write until I'm inspired to write, but today I was inspired.
I am lucky enough to be able to attend the Global Leadership Conference that is being hosted by WCA today and tomorrow at numerous satellite churches around the country and globe. But, that isn't what I'm going to write about (well, at least not entirely) - it is just providing context as to why I was at a table for lunch today with four complete strangers and two people who I know, but not as, let's say, BFFs.
Sooooo, we were discussing the morning session when one lady turned to another lady and asked, "do you work outside the home?" I don't know why, but this has been turning around in my head in all sorts of contexts today. I'm not even sure where I want to start. Let me start with the petty, then move to the profound (at least as profound as I get - which isn't really that profound).
If I was the type to take offense, which most anyone who knows me, knows that I am pretty hard to offend, BUT, if I was the type, which should I find more offensive: the fact that you would never ask a man if "they worked outside the home" or that you are incredulous enough to believe that I would entrust my four loving little children to someone else for care and nurturing during these obviously formative years? I know that many people have very strong opinions that either A. a woman is entitled to contribute to society in the work force (kids be damned) or B. once you have kids, the most important thing you can do for your kids is to stay home and raise them (career be damned).
Then I got to thinking how unbelievably, undeniably blessed I am. I get to do both. And I feel pretty strongly about both of them. I can contribute to society, use the smarts and skills God blessed me with and get the heck away from my kids a few days a week and then I can roll around with my kids, take them to swimming lessons and get the heck away from the office a few days a week. It is the best of both worlds and I just wanted to rub it in to everyone how awesome it is.
So, there are two distinct mornings at my house: the mornings mom has to go to work (i.e. shower) and the mornings mom doesn't have to go to work. Recently, on a non-work morning Ben came into my room, looked at me and said (with obvious disdain and disgust): "Mom, why do you always look like that when you don't go to work?" He was noting my ever constant ponytail, thick elastic waistband shorts and gym t-shirt with flip flops signature look, I think. And I said (not taking the bait of asking him innocently...like what? As I am sure he would have replied with something like "a slobby loser") "How do you want me to look, Ben?" "Like a pretty princess." "Hmmmm, and how would I go about looking like a pretty princess?" "Duh (insert eye roll) put on one of your princess gowns. Ugh" (insert exasperated sigh and unsaid comment of, Mom - Maddie can pull it together with some sort of sequin and tulle every day - and she's only four - what is your excuse?")
And those, my friends, are the days I am so grateful to have an office to go the next day.
