As I think about the year, I find myself thinking about what I've done. I started out 1999 with a nursing baby, and now I have a talking, toddling almost two year-old. What do I have to show for my time at home?? This brings to mind an article from Family Circle magazine from 5/11/99 about a Mom's resume. This Mom-Writer's resume would include: scholar, child psychologist, race car/stunt driver, medical expert, clairvoyant, peacemaker, magician, semiprofessional athlete and hobbies. I laugh when I read her titles and the descriptions. Mine would be similar. Linguistics Scholar and Homework and Spelling Expert. Nutritionist. Chauffeur/Race Car/Stunt Driver. Music Coach. Swim Stroke Judge. Travel Agent. Family Psychologist. Part-time Clairvoyant. Emergency Tech/Medical Expert. Banker. Peacemaker,yet Megaphone, Cheerleader. Furniture Assembler. General Contractor. Hobbies - still include music, but now in the adult sectors of church; cooking - only when home and not driving to the orthodontist for Liz and piano lessons for Liz, Harrison and Will. That pretty well spells out what I do.

But what am I? I'm a person who loves music and studying the works of Aaron Copland. I'm a person with a firm testimony of Christ's Gospel. I'm the person with the drive to finish/remodel the basement. I'm a mother of four sometimes-precious children. I'm the wife of a hard working associate general counsel. I'm the one who experiences the outstretched arms of a child after a nap. I'm the one upon whose ears falls the delights and disappointments of a child's day. I'm the one who simply enjoys looking at those stately Rocky Mountains. I'm the one who gets called to enjoy a sensational sunset or a magnificent moonrise. These are a few of the things that can't be written on a resume. These are some of the gifts of being a mother. Then there are the gifts of the footprints in the snow, the hand marks on the glass doors, the sounds of squeals and childish laughter, the child's sweet kiss at a peaceful bedtime. It's the Thanksgiving essays that say I'm thankful for Mom that are the paychecks. Its those times when a child runs back home, having forgotten just one last thing, the hug for Mom, before going off to school that are the bonuses. Those are the rewards of being MOM. It's not really about what I've done or what I'm doing. It's not really about who I am. It's about touching others and being satisfied to live in the moment.

Return to 1999 Pusey Family Christmas Letter