When you just need a moment…

Both Ruby and Radish have been such attentive mothers. I’m proud of them. They are attuned to the needs of their pups, patient with their demands, and dedicated to caring for them.

And…sometimes I’m sure its overwhelming.

I can relate. I love my role as a mother. It’s one of the most important in my life. Being attuned to my children, connecting with them, caring for them…it adds sweetness to my life that I can’t re-create in any other realm.

And yet, sometimes I just need a moment. It’s easy to get lost in the on-going demands and needs of my children. Especially when they were all very young. I developed a routine of coffee time every afternoon. Simply sitting down to a cup of coffee prepared by me and for me was a reminder that my needs, too, have a place and a value. I needed to take care of myself!

Ruby and Radish don’t have the option to make themselves a cup of coffee as a form of self-care. (Though, interestingly, Ruby LOVES coffee. If I leave mine unattended the whole of its contents will be gone.). But, they do deal with their overwhelm.

The other day, we found Ruby bedded down in an abandoned cupboard that we store rag towels in.

I think it was her way of taking a little break! The puppies were all okay - just doing their thing, some wandering around exploring and others out cold asleep. And meanwhile, Ruby made some solitude happen.

I don’t think I’ll put myself in a cupboard, but perhaps I can cut out a chunk of my day to simply rest in my room. Thanks Ruby, for the suggestion!