Lights, Fans With a Side of Scolding

On a normal day, we have a sweet and funny 8 year-old. Then there are days that I wonder where she came from.

A few mornings ago, we were all running around the house getting ready to leave for the day. Scratch that. Aaron and I were running around… Kiera tends to move at a more sloth-like pace. Anyway, I was in the kitchen getting water for my plants and Aaron was putting the dogs outside.

I hastily watered my plants then headed to my bedroom for my phone.

As I turned into the hallway, Kiera came out of her bedroom and bee-lined into mine, switching the light off as she went.

“Does no one but me care about the bills?” She exclaimed, gesturing wildly with her hands.

I paused in my bedroom door, turning the light back on. Kiera turned and faced me.

“I turned off the bedroom light, the bathroom light, the fan in your room and the fan in my room.” She gently chided.

I stood in the doorway trying to wrap my brain around the scolding I was receiving. “I care!” I stated defensively. I flipped off the bedroom light defiantly and turned to head for the front door.

There was a sigh from behind me. I turned to confront the little bill Nazi only to see her pick something up off my dresser.

“Mom.” Kiera said before uttering another quiet sigh. “Your phone.”

She handed me my phone, passing by me and heading towards the front door.

“I really don’t want to have to take care of y’all.” She stated as she shook her head.

It’s times like this that I am glad she is listening to us about not being wasteful with the electricity but… good grief. Some days she seems so much older than her 8 years.

Sunday afternoon, I had a migraine. I was lying in bed, sleeping on and off. Kiera came in the bedroom to check on me. “Mom, I’m going to clean the kitchen.” She stated matter-of-factly. “I’m going to mop and sweep.”

She turned and headed for the kitchen. In my painful haze, I remember briefly hoping she was not planning on cleaning the kitchen in that specific order. I must have dozed off again because the next thing I remember is her patting my back.

“I finished the kitchen. Would you like me to read to you?” She asked.

“I would love that.” I weakly replied.

She hustled to her room and came back a brief moment later, book in hand. She climbed on the bed, settled down beside me and began to read about Snippy the Snail.

After finishing the book, she gently rubbed my head and back before kissing me on the forehead. “I love you, Mom. Sleep good.” She whispered.

My eyelids heavy, I fell asleep again, saying a prayer of thankfulness for my sweet and gentle little girl.

It’s a crazy life we lead. I never know what to expect on a day-to-day basis. I love it though and just an FYI, my kitchen looked amazing.

Rowonna McNeely works as the Communications Manager for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Aaron are regular volunteers in the community, and have their hands full with their daughter, Kiera, along with three dogs and one cat.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at lifea2k@yahoo.com.