A Momma's Paycheck Has no Dollar Sign

Day 314

March 13, 2014

Tean Zybko

This is not a re-invent the wheel newsflash statement for us moms (and dads).  Even if you work outside the home part time or full with an every other Friday direct deposit slip emailed to you. Those dollars that pay the rent, rising electric costs, soccer dues and massive amounts of food ingested by hungry teenagers are awesome signs of hard work. Those are certainly essential paychecks but the paychecks that pay the bills of the heart aren't issued in a check with dollar signs.

I feel validated and encouraged as a mother with the daily direct deposits from my kids, the younger ones and and the gettin' grown ones. Adding up slowly in a secret savings account for retirement and beyond. Cha-ching. Florida here I come.

As I witness them serving one another and total strangers in the littlest of ways I smile from the inside out. Making the right choice when they don't realize I'm watching. Pay days are great days. No shopping spree here, I intend to save every penny. 

*Helping younger ones with school

*Running across a cold soccer field for a forgotten jacket 

*Giving up their favorite Dum Dum flavor from the bank 

*Slowing down to hold the door for others 

*Offering to return a cart for an elderly customer

*Using their tooth fairy money to purchase a gift for a BFF

*Recognizing the Jesus in others

*Grown kids getting together as sibs and friends 

*Thank you notes for packages sent with love

*Applying scripture lessons

*Compliments as maturity sets in to realize wisdom

*110% work ethic

*Straight A's
*A half full attitude

*Compliments to encourage

*Standing up for a friend

*Praying humbly 
*Taking younger siblings for a special weekend 

*Including a lonely kid at the Y
*Bringing a surprise cup of coffee home

*Putting a blanket on a sleepy, under the weather momma

*Chores done without prompting

*Busy college students playing along with crazy text requests

*Thanking Daddy for working so hard for the family 

These seemingly tiny dollar-less paychecks are huge in the world of a parent. The coin by coin piggy bank clinking and clanking gently and lovingly push me forward through the duties of motherhood. Morning, noon and night. I love the people you are becoming, day by day, moment by moment, pay check by paycheck.