I am twisting on a sippy cup lid and gulping coffee because I have two asking for breakfast and a camp lunch that may have to be packed using my feet.
Two days ago I was in New York, a manicurist asking me what design I wanted.
“Design? Is there a plain color I can try? Something neutral, pale, light pink?”
“No,” she told me, “we are only offering designs” as she motioned towards a display of animal prints, checkered patterns and glitter. I picked the least flashy, a bright pink tone, papered with nothing but glitter.
I didn’t notice them much in New York, they matched my glow necklaces at parties, drowned in the dim light of the hotel lobby and moved quickly over my phone as I text friends I had just met but had known forever. My hands moved as I told stories that needed no beginning or end and when I readjusted my badge so my long-read favorites could match my name with my face and never once did I consider my glitter.
Knocked over by hugs and miss you‘s and finding my way to my husband’s cheek for a Happy Anniversary, I love you Honey, I saw them again. Flashy and bright and calling for a bottle of polish remover, a contrast to the life I had just reentered.
I have left them sparkling for two days, going on three now. They have made breakfast, lunch and dinner, turned the pages of bedtime stories and glamorously wiped behinds. Their glittery reflection catches my eye and remind me how necessary they are.
Somewhere between uninterrupted conversations over wine and faces pressed against the bathroom door while I pee at the speed of light, I decided to leave them be.
I found a place of giving my family everything but saving a little piece for me, decorating it with shiny pink and glittery accents, folding it into my life for safe keeping and leaving it on until the last of it’s shimmer wears away.
A reminder of the parts of me that need no reminder, the wife and mom and sippy cup-filler
and the parts of me that do, the writer, the friend and the woman who needed a little glitter more than she could have ever imagined.
Up way past my usual bedtime with Fadra, Erin & Alex
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I'm Jessica, 30-something mom to five, four in my arms and one in my heart.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed yourself and were able to get some you time on your trip! I think we all need the reminder every once in a while that we have to have to give ourselves time to do the things we love and be the person we were BEFORE kids came along. Otherwise, we might go nuts.
Courtney Kirkland recently posted..24 Week Bumpdate
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I’m so glad you did this for yourself. Truly. How amazing to finally meet! xo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Breakfast at Bernies
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You just took my breath away…again. This post is beautiful.
I’m so glad we shared that very brief hug by the sparkly unicorn. I’m so glad you went. And I’m so happy to know you.
Alysia recently posted..Drive My Car
I am in love with this post. The back and forth between your home life & weekend in NYC life is perfection. I’m so happy that you had the chance to go and that you had a great time. Hoping you’ll go again when it’s in Chicago!
Twitter: NaynaDub
Love that you didn’t take it off
Did your kids like it?
Twitter: FarewellStrangr
Oh sweet friend, you said what we ALL feel so beautifully. SO happy to have met you and please forgive my absent-mindedness, you know of what I speak.
LOVE the photo and everyone in it. xoxo
Elaine A. recently posted..BlogHer ’12, The Love Post
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How you take something as simple as glitter nail polish and use it to speak to the heart of me is a gift. Truly.
Darcie Maranich recently posted..Where we’ve been
Twitter: medarcie
I think I’m gonna paint my nails now!
m.
Mark recently posted..What a trip!
Twitter: Rsimplelives
If you go polish your nails I will consider my work here complete.
Nothing wrong with a little sparkle in the everyday.
Shell recently posted..The Milestones that Make Mom’s Life Easier
We all need a little sparkle to remind us that we are special too! XO
Debi (@TruthfulMommy) recently posted..Finally, I Don’t Hate my Body
Twitter: TruthfulMommy
I’m so glad you went, and I only hope that you go again to BlogHer or another conference so we can meet!
Leigh Ann recently posted..I’m boycotting the Olympics. Kind of. Not Really.
Twitter: latorres
This post… I just love it. But it makes me sad that we didn’t get to spend more time together. I hope that will change in the future.
Jen recently posted..It’s a… BlogHer Recap!
I hope so too, I felt like we were always rushing past each other to the next place we had to be.
Glad you went and loved it and for keeping the glitter on.
Alison recently posted..Inertia
How did I not meet you at blogHer?? Lovely. Glad you enjoyed yourself!
Twitter: mamaonetothree
Love this. I completely get it. Wish I had a chance to meet you at BlogHer but I was only there Friday. Maybe next year!
Kal recently posted..Loving You
Twitter: autismtwins
I’m sorry to say that I didn’t notice the nails at the conference.
However, I’d think perfectly manicured, glittery fingernails are the proper protocol for butt wiping (that line truly made me laugh).
John recently posted..Where I look ahead to playing a few days as a single dad
Twitter: daddyrunsalot
I can’t believe we didn’t meet in person but so very very happy you got some glitter
Twitter: MommyMoments
This post was beautiful, naturally Jessica. Glad you had fun. (; Glittery nails must have been fun.
How is it that reading about nail polish I can have tears in my eyes? Pretty sure you’re the only blogger that does that to me. This post made me very happy. We all need a little glitter every now and then…good for you.
Jaime recently posted..Red Pens
You made glitter nail polish mean so much more. Abbey would be so pleased
angela recently posted..My Hot Date
love. love. love. We give all of ourselves most of the time, but it’s so fun to have some of ourselves, just for ourselves, some of the time. Both of those selves feel good.
Jessica recently posted..No Time Tuesday – More Corn Harvest Pictures
Twitter: closeenoughblog
So, so fantastic getting to meet you in person.
Jennifer recently posted..Dinner not Art
So glad that you had fun – keep the glitter (or reapply if needed). Take care. xo
I love this, because I so get it. Glittery polish, a pair of new jeans, a flattering shirt…..they all at different times remind me that somewhere beneath my mommy hood lies my woman hood. So glad you had a lovely time at Blogher!
Julia recently posted..All Birds Go To Heaven
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Glitter and sparkles can make most days better.
Twitter: babspinfrance
Glad you had fun away, and are happy to be home <3
Jenn recently posted..This Little Light of Mine
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What a brilliant way to bring NY home with you.