A few years ago, I started wondering when motherhood would get
easier. I had deluded myself into believing that it would be easy
once all three kids were in school.
A few years ago, I started wondering when motherhood would get easier. I had deluded myself into believing that it would be easy once all three kids were in school. Little did I know that having three kids in school meant more work than when they were at home.
I have often wondered when the day would come that I would no longer find myself baking cupcakes for a class party. My hot glue gun and craft box have been worked into the decor of my kitchen. Some women dream of furs and diamonds – I dream of a week without scraps of yarn and wooden sticks strewn about the house. I believe that one day, I will have nothing planned, and I will have a day off. It may be a long time in coming – but I believe that day will come.
My youngest child still believes in Santa Claus. At nine, she is pushing the limit at which it is acceptable to stand on line at the mall with her list in hand. I am thankful that she is petite and she doesn’t mind waiting in line with the terrified babies and eager toddlers.
Her brother, 18 months older, is still insisting that he believes in Santa. I know that none of his friends believe, I know he is only believing because he wants Santa to be real. I want my children to believe as long as they can, because I have learned to believe in things that seem improbable, too.
The following is a list of things that I want to believe:
• I believe we will avoid going to war with Iraq, because I believe in peace on earth all year round.
• I believe my daughter will be able to get a good education next year at Gilroy High School. I believe challenging courses will be offered to her, and she will rise to the challenge.
• I believe that the Gilroy Unified School District will come up with a way of offering three equitable middle school programs.
• I believe that the mayor of Gilroy will attend to city business, and not concern himself with issues outside the scope of his job.
• I believe that the economy in 2003 will be better than the past year.
• I believe that the new retail center in Gilroy will be a huge success.
• I believe that the city will move forward on a cultural center, but it will take longer than anyone cares to admit to get it open.
• I believe that the South County Housing Transitional Center will be a way up and out of poverty and homelessness for many of our citizens.
• I believe Bonfante Gardens will add a water feature which will attract more people and save the park from an early demise.
• I believe that downtown Gilroy will look better a year from now than it does today.
• I believe skateboarding is not a crime.
• I believe that people who mourn the loss of Christmas celebrations in public schools will realize that religion is best left up to the churches and families of our students. It might occur to some of these people that not everyone celebrates the birth of Christ, or revels in Christian hymns. I believe that people will welcome keeping religious celebrations outside the public classroom.
• I believe my puppy will be house trained by New Years.
I may be naive, but in this season of miracles, I choose to believe.
