When I Told the Starbucks Barista My Name Is ‘Supermom’

I haven’t felt too super lately, I’ve been stressed out worrying about my family —  my sons and their special needs, my husband’s health and my own ability to cope with it all. I have always believed in the motto, “Get kicked by life, you still keep standing.” It’s been easier to say than do, though.

The sleepless nights and early mornings had taken their toll on me. I went to get out of bed one day, and I couldn’t move! I found out the pain in my neck was radiating down my spine to the soles of my feet. I couldn’t wake my son up for school, and my husband had gone to work. For the first time, I felt so helpless. Luckily my son did wake up and see me trapped in my bed motionless and was able to get me to relieve my about-to-burst bladder.

He went off to school, and then my youngest woke up. He likes to crawl into bed with me and have his good morning cuddle. I was lying down, begging him not to touch me with tears streaming down my face. I felt so badly and tried to explain Mommy was hurt and I couldn’t hug him right now. He stayed by my side all day bringing me my water bottle and food to eat. I didn’t care that he was eating in my bed, and I ate so many oranges and granola bars because that was the only food he could bring me that didn’t need to be cooked.

We laid in bed all day watching TV and making peanut butter sandwiches and laughing at the Bubble Guppies. We were still there when his brother arrived home from school. He could see I hadn’t showered or gotten dressed since the morning. He went into superhero mode, getting me an ice pack, massager and cleaning up the mess his little brother created. Both of my kids were worried about me because they’ve never seen me in that much pain before, and they did everything to make my life easier that week.

My husband came home from work and saw us camped out in our room watching Netflix and stuffing ourselves with popcorn. I explained I had hurt myself and the boys were giving me TLC. Everything I had been worried about paled to the intensity of pain I was in. My husband took over and got me medicine, a heat pack and made dinner. This went on for the rest of the week, and I was able to get to a chiropractor. It’s been a slow and steady process, but I’m recovering now.

I wanted to treat myself to something special as soon as I was feeling better, so I went to Starbucks. As I stood there in line waiting to place my order, I thought about how amazing my family was for looking after me, loving me and instantly forgiving me when I got exhausted and cranky with my degree of pain. I realized I don’t have all the answers, and there’s always something to worry about as much as there are things to celebrate.

When it was my turn to order, I got my favorite drink: a Venti seven-pump chai latte with whipped cream. I was asked my name so they could make my beverage. I simply smiled and thought about my blessings in life and replied, “Supermom.” The barista smiled at me and said, “Yes, you sure are. I love your confidence.”

I lost my cape a long time ago, but I know that super quality resides in me, and I’m that Supermom to my family like they’re my superheroes.