"It Takes a Village"

Last week I was reading to Zeke before naptime when the neighbor kid knocked on the door, called my name, and woke up Levi in the process. I was irked! As I took care of all of the above, put Levi into the living room to play while I attempted to get Zeke to nap, I began to think about how nice it'd be to have someone in the other room watching Levi for me so I'd know he wasn't swallowing something dangerous, getting into something he wasn't supposed to, or crying; and I thought, "It really does take a village to raise these children!" And then I started putting together this poem. Please know, I'm extremely thankful for all the help Jeremiah and others give me, and they do. But even so, being a mother of little ones can feel isolating for a few years and I'm realizing how important it is to make friends and be there for each other. I'm thankful for the village that is starting to rise up around me! 

Today I need a village

to hold my hand and cry. 

To say, "Oh yes! I do that too!

to share a piece of pie. 

Today I need a village

to offset all this noise. 

Ping! Jangle! Boom! Crash! 

Who makes these freaking toys?

Today I need a village

to help play man-to-man. 

To say, "I'll change this one's diaper," 

"You take him to the can." 

Today I need a village

to help me clean the house. 

How did these piles get so big? 

Oh great. "Yep. That's a mouse!" 

Today I need a village

so I can take a break. 

Give me a chance to read a book, 

go get an ice cream shake! 

Today I need a village

to have some grownup fun. 

Dance to Beyonce, sing with Lecrae

and watch Jimmy Fallon! 

Today I need a village

but a village can be hard. 

It takes humility and grace

to share each others' scars. 

Sometimes it's easier to say 

I can do it by myself

Please don't bother me right now

I do not need your help. 

Today I need a village

we all do, don't you see? 

Do you want to join my village? 
The smiles and laughs are free! 

To life... full of finding your village!