I am standing in the grocery line, watching my purchases be rung up while simultaneously keeping an eye on my kids in the cart when I am asked this question. I had been making small talk with the cashier.
I look up at her and wonder what to say.
Let's see.
So far today I have:
Gotten up at 6 AM
made a bottle
fed the dog
put in a load of laundry
emptied the dishwasher
gotten two children dressed
brushed three sets of teeth
scrubbed the countertops and kitchen sink
fed the kids breakfast
pinned a dress together, serged the seams
cleaned up breakfast
scrubbed the table
wrangled the kids into the playroom
brushed the dog
vacuumed and mopped the floors
scrubbed the kids tub and sinks
settled 2.5 million toy disputes
broke up a fight over legos
planned dinner
showered
applied makeup while texting friends
answered e-mail
clipped coupons
made a grocery list while comparing coupons to grocery website
switched laundry
scrubbed toilets
kissed a boo boo
wrangled both kids into the car
got both kids out of the car and into the grocery cart
Held Sam and kept an eye on Lily while disinfecting cart
kept two kids from screaming through the grocery store
matched up coupons to purchases while keeping track of sippy cups, cookies, and grocery list
and successfully gotten to the checkout.
And it's only noon.
So, do I work?
Yes.
Do I love?
Yes.
So which is it? Work or love?
Both. But it can't be boxed into such small words. With every mundane task I am caring for some aspect of my family's life. With every shirt washed folded and put away, I am giving my family something clean to wear. With every meal made, I am nourishing them. With every stroke of the vacuum I am making their world cleaner. With every clipped coupon I am putting money into our bank account. With every dress/blanket/bag/bow created I am adding potential income to our budget.
So what is the definition of work? A paycheck? Or is it something more? Is it that a noon on a day like any other of my life I can look at the grocery cashier and say-
"No, I don't work outside the home. And I love my job."
