My mind twirls the places of the week. Soccer fields and Scout hall and church and football fields and after school pick up. I wonder how we will ever keep up when the sun sets sooner and the schedule is bursting.
And then I am reminded: This is real life. It isn't practice for the real thing. It isn't the scrimmage. It isn't the dress rehearsal. This -- right now -- with the half-folded laundry and the stove that needs scrubbed and the little boy who didn't have anybody to play with at recess and the girl who failed her math test and the one who has a headache so she thinks the whole wide world should pay too and the one who was finally just plain happy because he is with his forever family -- all of this is real.
I don't want to be overwhelmed because we have a full schedule or because dinner dirtied a few pans or because the showers are lasting a little past bedtime. Instead, I want my joy to overflow with the giggles bursting and the arms tight around my waist hugging and Andy's eyes sparkling because we're in this together and even when they are grouchy and we are in passing vehicles, this family life is very good.
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Love this! I've been having to give myself similar reminders with this new puppy:-) Embracing the chaos!
ReplyDeleteIt is a tough one to stay calm as the little boxes on the calendar fill up.
ReplyDeleteJuliann
Your life sounds good, love hearing about all the busy-ness, Ruth. You draw a great picture!
ReplyDeleteBusy now, but memories for later when life takes a new bend. I love the way you can look past the points of possible aggravation and embrace the joy of together. From my quiet little corner, it sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, just wonderful. It is so easy to be distracted by our frustration when things get tough. Shining on through it is hard, but I felt your smile through this whole post, even through the tough parts.
ReplyDeleteThis line resonates with me...It isn't the scrimmage. It isn't the dress rehearsal. I want to be in this noticing thing all the time. Life is definitely for the the living...and the joy of the hustle. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder today, Ruth. I get SO caught up in the "stuff". I'm going to comment on a couple slices and go play with my girls and listen to them giggle and kiss their cheeks. This is NOT a scrimmage. Beautiful slice!
ReplyDelete"I don't want to be overwhelmed because we have a full schedule or because dinner dirtied a few pans or because the showers are lasting a little past bedtime." Oh isn't this the truth?! I love your positive perspective even when things aren't perfect. It is refreshing to hear how you see the light shine through the darkness. And what is up with that stove? It seems as if my stove always needs a good scrub. Someday I will have lots of time to scrub the stove...for now, let it be dirty. I have more important things to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder to take joy in our busy lives...and that taking even a brief moment to appreciate the things that don't have deadlines can make everything seem so much easier to handle.
ReplyDeleteDelightful! I love the way you packed in all the little things that make life crazy in the 3rd paragraph, and then countered with all the other little things that make life wonderful at the end. Your writing always inspires me and helps me breathe a little bit deeper when I'm feeling stressed. I'm sorry I missed your announcement about moving on from TWT while I was wallowing in my own craziness. I wish you the very best, and I can't wait to see where your words take you!
ReplyDeleteWhat joy is hidden in the everyday. I love that you slow down enough to share it with us.
ReplyDeleteThis is it. Now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that reminder.
I wanted to take a moment to say how much I enjoyed reading Day by Day and thank you for co-authoring it with Stacey, while stoves dirtied, kids forgot math facts, the clock ran overtime at showers, or things got hectic.
I have to admit I love happy busy-ness. There's schwa in it.
:-) Laura
Thanks, Ruth. It's so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness that can consume a family. I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy my kids because with every moment they are older.
ReplyDeleteEven with my kids grown and gone, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I love your words -
ReplyDelete" I don't want to be overwhelmed...I want my joy to overflow." I love the sensory detail in that first paragraph and can't wait to share it with my writers who are Kissing Summer Goodbye this week as they prepare to Embrace Festive Fall. I caught that first wisp of crisp autumn air as I walked into school this morning, and my heart was glad!
Yes the family life is very good. Your observations brim with love and make my heart grow. It is all very real, the joys and struggles.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. Husband and I adjusted our schedule tonight and slowed down. It's like that this time of year.
ReplyDeleteIt is inevitable that sometimes we get pulled into the "overwhelmed" but then we need to pull ourselves back into the moment and focus on what really matters. It's easier to do it together, as your family does, with hugs and sparkling eyes. Your words carried the calmness and joy of the present moment
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this reminder to enjoy the NOW, even when it is crazy busy. September is like that here (especially since I'm a Cub Scout mom).... but the days are still full and blessed and to be celebrated and remembered.
ReplyDelete"I want to overflow with joy" is my favorite. Through it all, joy from the heart sustains us in the real. Love this!MHG
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