A few weeks ago, while preparing for the usual Sunday (and dreadful) job of cleaning the bathroom, a terrifically marvellous thought scurried and landed on a vacant little shelf of my mind. Just like that… there it was… gleaming and twinkling at me. It was one of those thoughts that make a parent stand straight-up, grin, and titter wickedly beneath their breath. <hee hee> I tiptoed down the hallway, casually peered into Spencer’s room, and noticed that he was curled up in a lazy heap on his bed, watching television. Perfect. I grinned again… accidentally unleashing a faint titter as my brilliant plan unfolded seamlessly. I glanced at the cleaning supplies, back at the boy, back at the cleaning supplies… and thought… “Brilliant!” (Muah ha ha!!)
I called him over with a giddy wave of the hand, pointed to the bathroom, and announced, “You’re 12 years old now, son… time to buck-up and become a man”. I could hardly compose myself… this moment was right up there with Christmas morning, or finding that perfect pair of shoes on sale for half price!
The look on his face was worth ten pairs of new shoes! You would have thought that I had asked him to clean the bowels of the sewer, or to disassemble a time-bomb. Naturally, he argued that he didn’t know how… so being the helpful mother I am, I patted his back lovingly and assured him that I would teach him. hee hee
In dazzling charade fashion, I walked him through each step, starting with the disgusting spots on the lino that would need to be cleaned and disinfected first… and playfully suggested he take better care with his aim from here on out. (hee hee hee!!!). Once I was sure that my little pioneer had been adequately introduced to the many foul and ghastly facets, I backed out of the bathroom delicately… smiled, wished him luck… and high-tailed it out of there, skipping and giggling!
I figured I might need a buffer to drown out the occasional whining that was sure to ensue, so I quickly busied myself with untangling the gnarled-up cord of the vacuum, and fired that puppy up! I think I was actually floating as my faithful Kenmore ploughed across the carpet, sucking up the bits and pieces of god-knows-what. I deliberately took my time, making patterns in the carpet: checkers, stripes, random circles. I tried making a happy face, but the lines kept crossing over one another. *sigh*
Then, as I was merrily going about making the perfect swirl in the carpet, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye… a distinctly familiar pair of knobbly knees. I turned around, looked up, and then immediately fell into a fit of laughter! In true Spencer-fashion, he accepted his mission, and took on the challenge like a loyal trooper…
See why I love being a mom!! hee hee
