energy for today

Andy smiles as I stir awake. The alarm sounds hours after I prefer. I groan, because of the disappointment of missing my bedtime and needing the sleep to restore. "Don't worry," he says, "We have the whole day."

Sam's footsteps on the steps make me smile, but not as much as the way he runs from the doorway to me, flinging himself onto the couch in a full hug. He giggles. It restores my soul.He jumps down, picks three books off of the shelf and tosses them on the couch beside me. Then we make chocolate milk together. Snuggling under the blanket, piling the books on our laps, he says, "I love you, Mom."

Stephanie's eyes sparkle, her red hair springs around her face. She grasps her book, Edward Tulane, in both hands and thrusts it above her head. "I finished!" she exclaims. Her energy wraps around me, making me smile. "This book is awesome. It shows how Edward Tulane learned to love in different families. The he made it back to his real family and loved even better. It's like me."

Hannah pulls on her dress boots, completely dressed in the early hours of Saturday morning, ready for a music competition. She stands, dressed in my belt and scarf. She looks too old, pretty instead of little-girl cute. I tell her she looks good. The words matter to her, she smiles and says, "I like dressing like you."

Jordan bounces into the room, sleep around his eyes and mouth. He climbs on top of me, hugging me almost-too-tight around the neck. His eyes shine, he swipes at the corner of his mouth, and says, "I slept good. I always sleep good now that I'm home."

A friend sends a small text. It turns into a phone call. Her voice and insight helps me know it is a new day. She says, "You wrote the truth with honesty and kindness. There is nothing wrong with that."

These small moments transform me. I do not mistake them for ordinary. Instead they are blessings tailored to chase away the disappointment and lingering effects of the demands of yesterday. I don't like to think about how easy they are to miss. I don't want to think about how my energy for today could have been depleted from dwelling in yesterday. I believe we are each given enough energy for the day. It is important I spend it on today and not worrying about yesterday or what might come tomorrow. The moments matter, grounding me, blessing me, and building my energy and love and joy for today.

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the March Slice of Life Challenge.