Pages

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Puzzling Library Lament

Spending the next few days flying solo as a parent has me on hyper-alert.  I am the one responsible (solely charged) with making sure all is well for my kiddos.  I take my hat off and bow to those who single parent 24/7!  It's a hard job.

Natalie requested to visit the library during Kameron's baseball practice.  I agreed to take her if she agreed to be a good listener and complied with directions when it was time to go pick up Kam.  We've had tantrums at this point in the evening before and it was not something I was willing to take on...but I reconsidered and decided to risk it.

The risk payed off!  I soaked in every moment of our time together.  We visited with Scooter, the blogging turtle.  We played store-and I got an ice cream cone.  We read books, Tea Party Rules and The Story of Fish and Snail.  We played trains.

And then, we puzzled.  Here there was drama!  Nat dumped out one of the puzzles and began to put it together.  She loves working the puzzles...there was a sudden moment of distraught over a missing piece-


"Oh, no!  Momma, it will never be complete!"

I'm certain that the entire level zero noise library patrons heard this dilemma.  I giggled to myself and insisted that we look around as I was sure we could find it (even though we didn't).   When I was checking out my books, Nat mentioned to the librarian that we couldn't find it.  She assured Nat that it was somewhere and not to worry...it would be found.  But will it?

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for hosting this weekly Slice of Life event!


10 comments:

  1. I love when these risks of parenthood pay off!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have had plenty of those moments where I doubted -- and the reward for taking the risk was plentiful! I'm so glad that you went and enjoyed that time together at the library. Love Nat's words as she wondered about the puzzle. Hang in there this week! It's amazing how tough it is to do it alone! But as I said, take the risks and you'll see good in each moment!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The public library was one of our favorite places to go when the kids were young - your slice brought back those long ago days, Amy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Torture when there's one missing piece :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. The challenges of being a single parent if only for a week. Somehow I can't imagine it 24/7. I, too, give those single parents kudos! I'm glad that you took the leap and spent some quality time with Nat at the library. Love the line that "now it will never be complete." Hope the rest of your week goes smoothly.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love so many things about this piece. I love your reflection on those who single parent every day for decades. I love how you challenged your child to make the most of every minute. I love how she wanted the library. I love how the librarian assured her that the piece would be found. I feel complete as I finish this slice.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This seems like a metaphor for life ("it will never be complete"). Some of us are searching for that "missing piece." I love your daughter's innocence and the urgency of finding this piece.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Being the solo parent is always a little challenging, but it seems you are handling it with grace. Putting a puzzle together only to find a piece is missing is always a little disappointing. It's like not getting to hear the end of a story.

    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a cute little story. Natalie sounds like a lovely little girl. It sounds like you have your hands full!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you! Please add your thoughts.