And Yes, I Still Love You

There will be many meaningful words about mothers spoken and posted around the Western world today and, for the record, I concur with them all. To provide a moment of relief from all the deep and serious reflections about Moms both present and departed, I offer this note posted by a mother on the outside of the bathroom door -- her effort to secure for herself a few moments of peace and quiet:

Dear Child,

The bathroom door is closed!

Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions.

Wait until I get out.

Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken and I am not trapped.
I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in here, but it's been ten years and I want some PRIVACY.

Do not ask me how long I will be. I will come out when I am done.

Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door.

Do not go running back to the phone yelling, "She's on the toilet!"

Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them. This was funny when you were two.

Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door.

If you have followed me down the hall talking, and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room. I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.

And yes, I still love you,

Mom

(From A Barrel of Fun by J. John Stibbe and Mark Stibbe. Grand Rapids, MI: Monarch Books, 2003. P. 146)