Waiting

4:22 am. They were going to drive all night. Arrive early in the morning. So here I am, waiting. Worried about all the possibilities, praying them down the highway, knowing that they are usually later than they plan to be (traveling with 2 kids and dog that many miles...who wouldn't?).

How much of a mother's life is spent waiting? Forget their childhood; just think of all the times since they were independent. Date nights. Coming back from their Dad's, from work, from college, from their homes too far away.

Being reunited with a part of myself, my greatest accomplishment...no wonder I don't mind. And now there is this incredible bonus with the whole package; daughters to love and granddaughters to cherish.

The extra beds are made, the cookies are in the freezer, the toy boxes out of storage, the bath toys in the tub. The morning birds are chirping and rubber duckie and I wait for joy.

I don't mind waiting.