The Noise of Motherhood

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children in costume playingNoise. So much noise.

Kids playing, washing machine washing, dishwasher running.

The drip irrigation watering our garden floods our home with a freight train like droning.  For 90 minutes.  Every morning.

Middle little’s using the potty and yells, “Mom, can you come wipe me?”

Big brother is chasing littlest sister around the “toddler 500” loop on our main floor.

Arms up, eyes asking, little voice says, “Mama! up!”

There’s worship music playing somewhere in the background. 

Sweet noise.

There’s laughter and bickering.

Cries and squeals of joy.

There’s the vacuum running at least twice a day and the ding of the dryer beckoning me to fold our warm, clean clothes.

Shouts of pretend play come from the backyard.

Gasps as they explore on a nature hike.

Later, giggles as they scheme under covers.

Sobs as I take it all in and try to quiet my heart.

Try to turn off my mind.  Try to turn off the noise that comes from elsewhere.

The noise that distracts.  That draws my ears and attention away.

Try to soak up this noisy, beautiful chaos.

Motherhood is loud.  

Noise. So much noise.