The Never-Ending To-Do List for WriterMoms

Friday marked a red-letter day for me.  The words were flowing and I finished a major revision on my chapter that really set the stage for the rest of the book.  I was feeling so motivated to work on my chapters, a feeling I haven't had in quite a while.

Saturday came around and I spent the morning teaching a class for scouts (I was a merit badge counselor).  In the back of my mind my story scenes were running non-stop and I couldn't wait to get to my computer and get going.  When I got home, I took care of lunch for my kids, and got the little ones down for naps and I practically ran downstairs to my computer.  Unfortunately, my husband was getting ready to paint the ceiling right above my computer and there was plastic everywhere.  Thwarted again.

When he finished, the babies were awake and my husband turned to me and said, "Let's take the kids to feed the ducks." 

I looked longingly at my computer keyboard, the story scenes begging me to write them down, but at the same time I looked at my children's faces, alight with the excitement of seeing ducks.  There wasn't even a question.

We went to feed the ducks.

I will never forget the look on my baby's face when a duck landed so close to him with her six babies he could almost touch them, and the sound of his laughter as a turtle next to the boardwalk swam close.  My little girl squealed with delight when the ducks ate the bread she offered and came closer and closer wanting more. 

It was a glorious afternoon.

We went out to dinner and got home late and I didn't think of the computer or my story once as we relived the day together.  Oh, I know the pull of a story is always there for a writer, simmering in the background, and as a mom my to-do list is long and sometimes feels never-ending, and I have to find balance that works for me.  But for now, it is afternoons like the one we shared last Saturday that will make the memories my children will remember for a lifetime and it was worth every second away from my computer.

My story isn't anywhere near done, but I know I'll get there.  And in the meantime, I'll think about fun and laughter and children's smiles. 

Because I'm a WriterMom.