FASHION

Musings of an Island Girl
They do not see you stand in the bathroom and gather your resolve every
morning. Splashing your face with water, staring in the mirror, sighing,
brushing your teeth (maybe), picking up that toddler, drifting into the
kitchen, pouring cereal in bowls, cleaning dishes, and making your cup of
tea or coffee with a yawn.
They do not see those of you who mother alone without much support.
They do not see the way you look at the bank account and try to figure
out how to make three meals with what is left in your pantry. They do not
see you walking into the principal’s office, doctor’s office, friend’s house
and defending your child. Alone.
STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF MOMS,
SAYS TINA HOUAREAU
Photographs: Joe Clothilde
You are enough
You give of yourself.
They do not see bandages placed on knees. Quiet kisses on foreheads at
night. Pillows pushed just the right way and blankets tucked to the perfect
demands. Laundry folded and folded and folded. Tears that sting your
eyes as you keep going. Dinners prepared with love. Times of laughter
over silly things. Hair brushed and pulled back into pony tails. Prayers over
little babes. Prayers over wandering teens. Nights spent asleep in a chair
holding a sick child. Days where the house is a wreck but you are reading
books. The courageous smile on your face when you are fatigued.
Those things matter.
Those things are the little things that add up and up and up. Second by
second, minute by minute until they add up to hours which add up to
create days which add up to create weeks which add up to create months
which add up to create years which add up to create a life. A beautiful life
filled with regular mommy moments.
I say those things are enough. I say you are enough.
Tina Houareau is a Seychellois living in the USA with her young son. She is an Instructional Designer for Capella University, where she recently completed her PhD in the same field.
MARCH 2015 | POTPOURRI 8