Superman recently had another foot surgery, and pain management has been a challenge this time around. We are now three weeks post-op, and his pain is definitely improving, but he still wakes up at least once every night needing comfort and medication.
I'll admit it, this return to a newborn sleep schedule has been hard for me. I am discovering that there is a reason why most women don't have babies at my age (42). And actually, I do remember this sleep deprivation being pretty darn hard to deal with when I was in my 30's too!
Tonight was just like any other night. At 2:20 I was roused from a deep sleep and a weird dream by the sound of my child crying. I quickly dragged myself out of bed and staggered to the bathroom while shouting a quick word of encouragement to Superman. I turned on the light, shook the cobwebs out of my brain, and got the medicine. I carefully walked down the hall, trying not to wake all the other sleeping members of my family (lucky dogs!). Superman sat up, ready to take his medicine. After he took it, his face brightened as he realized it was after midnight. A huge grin appeared on his face and in that sweet voice that I love so much he said "Happy Mother's Day!" I gave him a huge hug and a sincere "Thank you!" And I meant it.
In that moment, even though of course I would have rather been sleeping, I felt like the luckiest Mommy in the world. And I thought of all the Moms out there, young, old, and somewhere in between, who were awake at that moment for various motherly reasons. And I silently wished them a Happy Mother's Day.
Happy Mother's Day to you all.