I Am A Grasshopper

We're all familiar with the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper.  The Ant works and toils during the summer months, tirelessly stocking up for winter.  As he goes about his work, he ignores the frivolous Grasshopper who has no concern for the approaching fall and winter, and who spends his days singing and lying around in the field.  We all know the Grasshopper ends up regretting his decision to play while the ants worked, and the ants are pretty proud of all their hard work when winter comes.  Thanks Aesop for the life lesson.

So, I was thinking about a story written by my mother-in-law's dear friend Louise Plummer in which, while considering the mess in her household and relating it to this fable, she declares herself to be a Grasshopper. I was thinking about this story when I arrived home this afternoon, and I have decided that today's truth is that I too am a Grasshopper.  I realized this was a moment of self-awareness and acknowledgement of what is truth.  Although I may have Ant qualities, I believe my personal Grasshopper wins out.

Every Friday night I go to bed with a big Ant list of things to accomplish the next day.  Then, Saturday morning rolls around and the Grasshopper feels like it's more important to sleep in, or stay in bed and watch Coyote Ugly on VH1.  (Let's be sure to include Coyote Ugly in that list of movies that mean nothing to my life, yet I'm obligated to watch if it comes on TV).  By the time the Grasshopper is ready to get stuff done, the day has moved forward with the Ants and I struggle to get 1/2 the list done.

I try to push myself into being an Ant.  I have bursts of Ant-like behavior. I have a super Ant organized chore chart.  I have a "Busy Mom's" day planner.  I have filing systems and menu plans to assist in my desired Ant behavior.  And a lot of the time it works.  I manage 2 car pools, corral 4 boys--3 of which attend 3 separate schools and have completely different schedules, work full-time, attempt to make a semi-nutritious meal most evenings, wash, dry and fold laundry that never ends, manage our bills, etc, etc. The truth is, I would very much like to be an Ant.  Many of my friends are Ants. But as I strive to be like them, I find my Ant qualities lack longevity, and I'm OK with that.

Being a Grasshopper  is not a life of irresponsibility.  It's about taking the moments you are given in life and not rushing through them.  It's appreciating that kids will grow up and move on before you know it, so it's okay to lounge with them and watch cartoons on a Saturday rather than making sure the chore list is done.  Grasshoppers allow themselves the luxury of curling up with a good book while dishes wait patiently at the sink.  Grasshoppers understand that basketball games are sometimes played in the kitchen and the greatest football receptions are made onto LoveSacs in the family room.  Grasshoppers regard cleaning bathrooms as a necessary evil.  Grasshoppers have headstand contests on the family room rug with their kids.  They work hard, but also recognize that when work is done--it's time to play.  Grasshoppers never forget to enjoy the peaceful moments, savor the sweet ones and capture once in a life time memories.

The proverbial winter seems a while off, so my Ant/Grasshopper struggle will continue.  And while I endeavor to be more Ant-like, I am happy being a Grasshopper.  Being a Grasshopper makes my life pretty full and allows me the time and space I need to be a Wife and Mom with limited guilt and self-doubt.  (Guilt and self-doubt comes with Motherhood.  It's a package deal and also a truth for another day.)  So, with that being said.  Today's truth is "I am a Grasshopper".