H followed me upstairs when I arrived home from work tonight. He said little as I stripped off my work clothes and reached for something more comfortable among the meticulously stacked clothes in my closet. Wait. Did I say stacked? Did I say meticulous?
"Um," I said.
"Yep," he said, opening his side of the closet to compare the tidy rows of clothes. "She did. And she even folded my dirty clothes."
Say what!?
My mother-in-law, left to her own devices for a few hours today, took the opportunity to clean, reorganize and rearrange whatever wasn't bolted down in our townhouse. This sweet woman — who upon entering our home showered me with hugs and kisses and called me her daughter and gestured with enthusiasm so we could communicate despite our language barrier — she is totally OCD. And I love it.
This is the first time we've met, and H and I were married 14 years ago this June. Tickets to Morocco are not cheap, and the timing was always wrong. When we had the money we didn't have the time. When we had the time we didn't have the money. Life. Sigh.
So 14 years later, she's here, folding my yoga pants and realigning my pantry items to make more space. She's here, doting on her granddaughter and telling me I'm tired and should go to bed and tsking at us for washing the dishes because she wants to do that.
I love it. I have forgotten what it's like to have a benevolent mother figure around, someone who willingly does the little things for you without thought. I have become that mother figure to Alexa, obviously, but since my mom's death I have been without one of my own.
And even if I'm not exactly thrilled about the new location of the candlesticks ... well, so what. They can stay put for now. Ignoring our differences in housekeeping and home decor is a small price to pay for some motherly love.
Vanessa! This is a beautiful post! I can just imagine your first meeting, the love, the hugs! Enjoy your time together, I have my mom here with us too and it's the best!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, your FIRST meeting? I know that I sometimes say things like, "I wish my mother-in-law lived in Morocco," but I don't actually mean it. You are a strong woman, Vanessa, and that's how I like 'em!
ReplyDeleteAwww. I'm so glad you guys are getting this opportunity, so amazing! I bet its incredible for her to meet her granddaughter :) Enjoy it
ReplyDeleteOh I love this post and how much you love her! I hope she is staying with you for many more days so you can enjoy being mothered and she can enjoy mothering all of you!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing, for both you and her!! I bet she is loving all the nurturing, what a blessing for all of you!! Enjoy her, it is so nice to be taken care of sometimes. Happy weekend, my friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you, too! There is going to be amazing Moroccan food on the menu tomorrow evening, and I can't wait. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacey. We have the pleasure of her company for two more weeks. I plan to soak it up.
ReplyDeleteHaha. She is spoiling Alexa rotten with attention and hugs and gifts from Morocco.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Holly! I think the amount of time that has gone by without meeting her amplified my worries. Because I've found that I had absolutely nothing to worry about!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks so much. This kind of family time is appreciated more and more the older I get.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! It's good to be mothered from time to time, and I think we busy modern women often forget that. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great attitude you have. I know a lot of people (myself included)
ReplyDeletewho would hate someone rearranging their things like that. I love your
outlook on it.
I got lucky in the MIL department as well. Great women raise great men who go on to marry great women of their own, so it only makes sense. ;)
ReplyDelete