Awareness

At times MH will ask me at the end of the day, "What did you do today?"  Well, any stay at home mom dreads this question.  It seems like as I look back over the day, there is a string of monotonous, mundane tasks and activities - if you were going to have to speak it.

How do you speak what you've done/experienced during the day?

I listened to the birds in the wee hours of the morning as I sat still with the Lord.   I was in awe of how late little boys can sleep in... and found little laughs in the shouts of horror one of them yelled as the others tried to arouse him.   I made smoothies and noodles and salads and cracked eggs with a 6 year old and instructed him in the art of cracking and beating.

I listened to countless little boy antics - some fun and some mischievous and some that needed instruction.  I picked up a cat from the vet who had a half-inch pokey stick in her eye and listened to her meow impatiently and loudly all the way home.  I watched with a smile daughter #1 get ready for work and struggle with what shoes to wear that would both look nice and FEEL comfortable enough to be on her feet in.

I cleaned and cleaned and did laundry and re-cleaned and the floor is a mess.  I read beautiful blog posts from daughter #1 listening with my heart to her lovely thoughts.  I experienced the rhythms of work and nature as I hung clothes on the line and felt the sun and breeze, feeling happy in the gifts of them all.

I made plans for supper and sent son #1 out for errands.  I hulled decomposing leafs, full of worms, and spread them over the empty flower bed.  I noticed that the wheelbarrow needed air in the tire as I hulled those leaves around.

I felt a new compassion for the poor cat that followed us home from our walk last week and hasn't left.  I have not let anyone feed him or give him any reason to stay.  We've made many attempts at sending him on his way - all to no avail.  So, today I had daughter #2 post him on craigslist and vowed to feed and care for him until we can find him a home - although I'm still committed to NOT letting him in the house.

I noticed the not-too-cold/not-too-hot temperature of this beautiful day and was full of thankfulness to God for His handiwork and beautiful gifts.

I found inspiration in a book, in a word, on the internet, in watching the kids, in feeling the presence of faith in my heart, in meaningful conversation.

I thought fondly of the legacy that I have in my heritage (namely my grandmothers and mom) as I worked at 'recycling' my favorite quilt from Grandma, thinking of the joy that I will have in having this quilt re-worked into something that will be around me and help me to always remember that beautiful legacy.

It is easy to get caught up in the days and lose sight, lose awareness of the absolute beauty in the moments.  It is easy to just reply to that dreaded question, "The same ole same ole."  But it's never the same ole - it's just so difficult to speak into words.