shakespearemom

This was actually NOT sparked by Wall-E at all, yet I’ve been thinking about how nice it is to be appreciated. I went on a camping trip over the last few days, and when I came back–today–I had several messages from readers waiting on me, one even asking why I handn’t posted (thanks, Flit!).

And, you know, it made me feel really good.

Now, being needed isn’t the same thing. To have someone–children, for instance–counting on you for breakfast, or lunch, clean clothes, a diaper change, or a good tooth-brushing doesn’t inspire me with a warm, smooshy feeling. Sometimes, especially if the needs are strenuous or too frequent (or accompanied by whines), I feel burdened, like a slave who has no choice but cater to ALL THESE NEEDY PEOPLE!

That’s why doing dishes and cleaning toilets are such chores…they cannot ever be wants, only needs.

But to be wanted changes things. Richard doesn’t need me to iron his shirt…he wants me to talk to him while he gets ready for work. Crystal doesn’t need me to unlock the bathroom door, she wants me to snuggle with her while we watch the Olympics. I don’t need to write the next chapter, but it’s tickling at my brain, enticing me, telling me it wants me to write it out, not somebody else.

It makes a difference. Being wanted gives me a choice–and it gives them one, too. They could choose something or someone else. They choose me. And I choose them, too.

Can you feel that warm smooshy feeling now? Does it come through?

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