Mothers’ pockets.
We need them.
Large pockets and small pockets. Pockets in jeans, jackets, and winter coats. Pockets in aprons, sweaters, robes, dresses, and purses.
We carry things for our children, always aware of the potential for skinned knees and runny noses. Our children hand us their small trinkets, relics of childhood, to hold before they run off to the playground.
We carry lollipop wrappers, Kleenex, shopping lists, receipts, ponytail holders, barrettes, Chapstick, rubber bands, paper clips, notes scrawled in children’s handwriting, Barbie shoes, temporary tattoos, and stickers from the Target cashier.
We carry cough drops, disinfecting wipes, Scotch tape, Starbucks gift cards, school volunteer badges, checks written to the PTA, permission slips, drivers’ licenses, uninflated balloons, Band-Aids, bouncy balls, and bits of ribbon.
We carry mittens, gloves, wadded-up fleece hats, headbands, Polly Pockets, pacifiers, Happy Meal toys, fast food restaurant napkins, sunglasses, plastic rings and bracelets, broken bead necklaces, cameras, phones, library cards, and coloring pages from library story time.
We carry cookie crumbs, packs of chewing gum, nail polish that peels off when it dries, bookmarks, tampons, pads, EpiPens, sunscreen, concealer, and hand sanitizer.
We carry dandelion heads, acorns, rocks, spiky balls dropped from sweet gum trees, a twig shaped like a bird in flight, tufts of cottonwood tree fluff, pine cones, and seashells.
We carry Chiclets from the candy vending machine at the mall, change for the vending machine, dollar bills for garage sale shopping, moist towelettes, teething rings, keys, collapsible Frisbees, pencils, chalk, Disney Princess figures, Hot Wheels cars, LEGO people, and Cheerios.
We carry intense love for our children.
We carry hopes, dreams, worries, fears, frustrations, and irritations. We carry determination, persistence, perseverance, compassion, responsibility, imperfections, and grit.
We carry the future of humanity.
Large pockets and small pockets. Pockets in jeans, jackets, and winter coats. Pockets in aprons, sweaters, robes, dresses, and purses.
We need them.
Mothers’ pockets.
Category: FeaturedTags: FINISHED
