Special Moments

Dances with my daughter

By Heather Grace Stewart

‘Ring around the Rosy. Pocket full a posy!” my two-and-a-half year old daughter sings happily as she pours a cup of pretend tea for me. Today is going to be a more productive day, I think as I type this. But I know better.

I’m a work at home freelance writer, author, mommy, and wife. Today I have my toddler home with me, as she always is, an 800-word magazine article to write, three loads of laundry to do, a new book to try to market, and dozens of e-mails to answer.

I decide to focus on my looming deadline while the laundry is in the wash. My little one is happily having tea with her teddy bears. Great, I can get some research done at least. Research my topic for 40 min or so, then go do a puzzle with my girl, I think.

All is quiet. I’m getting stuff done. Seven minutes goes by. Seven whole quiet minutes and I’m in heaven! Then I realize: she’s too quiet. Too quiet, as most parents know, is not a good thing. Not a good thing at all.

I turn my swivel chair around to find my daughter nearly in tears, screaming, “I am pooping! I am POOOPING!” I quickly scoop her up, offering, “You tried, it’s ok, it was an accident,’ and sprint downstairs to the washroom, praying we’ll make it.

We don't make it.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm on my knees, washing the floor, holding my nose as I pick up a putrid trail all the way from my office to the washroom. My newly clean and carefree-again girl is on the computer, you guessed it, accidentally deleting the only two sentences I’d written for my article.

When I find her there, I almost lose it. This is just one more day in a long line of exhausting days like this. But I compose myself, take a deep breath, and ask her to please not touch Mommy’s computer when Mommy isn't there.

A kindness in her eyes and the lull of the music playing on my computer’s music player at that moment sparks something deep inside my heart. I pick her up and swing her around, giggling with her as we dance cheek to cheek to The Riddle: “…the reason for the world is you and me…and we’re all we’ve got on this bouncing ball, and I love you free.”

We spin around and around my office. Time stands still. Me, Tired and Cranky Bad-Hair-Day Mommy, wearing not a stitch of makeup and an Alphaghetti-stained jogging suit, and Dear Daughter, proudly sporting Dora panties and an Alphaghetti stained Fashion Diva! shirt, are completely serene and content. I don't want to lose the moment. I don't want to let her go.

“Mommy?” she asks me while we continued twirling to the music.

“Yes honey?”

“Mommy, you are my Sunshine!” she grins and holds me tighter.

That is the simple answer as to how and why I do this. How and why I woke up this morning with a smile on my face and the energy to face another chaotic day all over again.

I know for certain that I’m making a difference in my daughter’s life. Nothing else really matters.

Gotta go. She’s trying to dress our tabby cat in her pajamas again.

• Terry | June 3, 2008 at 9:52 pm - §

  Each time a read something by this writer I am amazed at how she can take an event that the rest of us would think mundane or ho hum and make it into something exciting with so much meaning to her that we are transported to another place and time and enjoy it with her. Even in this article she captures everyday life as an adventure she can't wait to share with us and love she always has to give.

• Carolyn | June 4, 2008 at 4:11 am - §

  I have to agree with Terry, Heather has that knack to capture your attention. Her writing brightens up the dullest day. I love her stories and poems, she is an amazing writer.

• Graham West | June 8, 2008 at 4:52 pm - §

  I loved this article. Written in such an appealing style. Funny and amusing also!

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