The Red Balloon

It is 11pm
and I am
making cupcakes.

What am I doing up
at 11pm at night
making cupcakes?

Since I am a
working mom,
I am the mom
who sends
the treats
instead of
volunteers my
time.

But I AM volunteering my
time,
aren't I?

My kitchen
walls
KNOW
just how many
hours I
volunteer
my time
(even if the school
doesn't)
and my new
kitchen
is preparing
to hold this
11pm secret
too.

My kitchen understands,
(and my new kitchen will
too)
that
tomorrow
is the conclusion
of Junior Great Books
and the
party of
The Red Balloon.

When I asked
Hana what she thought
of the
story
The Red Balloon,
she said it
was
sad.

When I asked her
why
she said
because the balloon
popped.

That is sad, I say.

I remind her that
after the balloon
pops
all of the other
balloons
come
to take the little boy
to fly
around
the world.

An she says
yes,
this is a
happy
ending.

Packing the
cupcakes
I notice
my shirt.

Ironically,
it is red.

I realize
I
AM
the red balloon.

Soon I
will
pop.

The baby
will be here.
The house
will be done.
There will
be a time
when I am
sad.

But my new kitchen
walls
will be
there

witnessing 11pm
cupcake sessions
where in silence
I volunteer
my time
(and in my
mind,
travel around the
world.)

I think that
all moms know,
like kitchen's know,
these 11pm
cupcake sessions
are actually
a
HUGE
part of
a
happy

ending.