Monday, May 17, 2010

only a moment



On Sunday afternoon, as I was picking up toys and cleaning up the house, Luca was driving me crazy. It seemed as though he had a list of things he is not supposed to do and was just checking off one by one. As I moved about the house and repeated "Luca. Don't do that, please" endlessly, I started to get frustrated. I found myself wanting to yell at him at the top of my lungs and then, out of nowhere, I recalled an article that I read last year in O Magazine.


The actress Julianna Margulies talks about how it took one moment for her to understand the words that her mother had been telling her for a lifetime. She had just gone back to work from maternity leave and her son, then 5 and 1/2 monts old, was up crying in the middle of the night. Overwhelmed and frustrated, thinking about how she needed to be up early the next day, her mother's words came rushing back "this is only a moment; it's not the rest of your life." Right then, she finally got the point and calmed down immediately. Her mother's words put the moment in perspective.

So, much like Julianna, those words came to me and I paused for a second. I could continue my miserable state and keep scolding Luca, holding back the urge to yell, or I could give him the attention he was looking for and make us both happy. As I sat down with him and put a puzzle together and cuddled and kissed him, I realized that this IS just a moment. I think Julianna's mom meant to put some perspective on negative situations, but her wise words also ring true for treasurable moments. I will blink and Luca will be 15 and the last thing on his wish list will be to spend time playing and cuddling with mom.

A little later, Luca now happy and calm, I finished up what I was doing.

10 comments:

  1. I read that article when it was first published and I really appreciate you bringing it up. It is a simple, yet powerful reminder to keep things in perspective and be thankful for the moments we have with our children.

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  2. I really like her work. I didn't know she's a mom!

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  3. I enjoyed this; thank you!
    A bit late to the SITS Saturday Sharefest!

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  4. I am going to have to remember that the next time my two year old is driving me to distraction. Thanks for posting it.

    Your children are gorgeous!

    Stopping by from SITS!

    Cheers :-)
    - CoconutPalmDesigns

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  5. It's hard to remember to breathe when your stress levels are high... but I guess that's the point!

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  6. Hi Licia, that should be my mantra-- still struggling with my little one waking up every 2 hours at 6 months old (it's been going on for the past 2 months!) Have to keep telling myself, this too shall pass...

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  7. Emily,
    Mine woke up at night until about 11 months. I know this may not be giving you much hope but hopefully it just lets you know you are not alone!

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  8. My nine month old still wakes up every 2 hours at night. I try not to stress about it and like you understand this time passes way too quickly. When it's over, I know I'm going to miss snuggling with my little one and will shed a few tears.

    Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest.

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  9. I'm glad you are taking things into perspective, M. You are the mom of one lucky baby!

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  10. I can attest that the time goes by much too quickly.
    A SITS friend

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