Friday, October 2, 2009

Plain White Tee

Some women spend their whole lives in search of the perfect little black dress. Some try on 100 pairs of jeans until they find the perfect pair. Not me. I don't wear dresses and as long as I can button jeans and walk on the backs, I am happy. But, I have spent my life looking for the perfect long sleeve white t shirt. It has to wash well, it has to be big enough to not hug my fat rolls, long enough to hide my pooch, and the sleeves have to pass my wrist without covering my hands. This search has been exhaustive. But I found it.

Right around two years ago, I discovered I was pregnant. That pregnancy brought forth the joy of my life. No... not Jack. (Don't get me wrong, he's great and all, but I didn't spend the last 10 years in pursuit of him.) No, it's my white t-shirt... the holy grail of my life. It is from Motherhood Maternity and even though I haven't been pregnant in almost 14 months, I still lovingly don that shirt and embrace its wonder. It has a little bit of stretch so that it doesn't feel like just a plain cotton tee. It has a v neck, but not so low that you HAVE to wear a tank or cami under it. It is long enough and baggy enough (and no... despite it's origins at a maternity store, there were no bows, no ties in the back and no pouches to stick your basketball sized bump in). It fit loosely without looking sloppy and the sleeves were the perfect length. It was is the best shirt I have ever owned. But, now it's gone.

There are two little people in my world who need me for everything. These parasites suck the life out of me on a daily basis. For around 12 hours a day, I am solely responsible for feeding them, cleaning them, diapers, pulling up grunders, playing, interacting, everything. Normally, I don't mind. Sometimes, I even enjoy it. But when Jack gets covered in mud and is crying hysterically.... the whole motherhood thing goes on hold. Do I let him stand there crying, knowing that picking him up would soothe his physical and emotional wounds? Or... do I preserve my favorite, sought after long sleeve white t-shirt. Time stands still as a little, Jackish white cherub angel pops up on one shoulder and a flaming red t shirt wearing Lynn-devil appears on the other. Cherub-Jack whispers "soothe him.... pick him up.... hold your baby until his tears stop... make the pain go away." The devil wears cotton says, "he's not that hurt... he'll stop crying soon... pat his head and save that shirt."

Stupid cherub.

Stupid maternal instinct.

2 comments:

Tuffy said...

My white cuban looking shirt came clean. Good luck with the T.

captcha: volwif

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

There is no saving my shirt, but thanks for rubbing it in.