Morning Chants - Day 14

Morning chants of prodding and waking.  Countdown of minutes 'till the bus rolls down the road.  Reminders spoken of library books or notes left unpacked the night before.  Lunches tucked into backpacks as they head out the door.

Many mornings have made the routine easy with familiarity.  Boyhood distraction solicits frequent reminders.  Chaos ensues with scrambling near the door.  It happens each day no matter how we prepare.  Mom's eyes on the clock as the last tiny man trails out the door; sometimes complete with backpack and lunch.

Standing amidst the ever-shifting flow of them.  Listening as they talk of all the day holds, of the dreams the night brought them, of the stone Morgan holds, or the leaves at their feet.  All the prodding and reminding, the scrambling and countdown are so worth those precious moments we stand at the end of the lane, and we wait.

These are moments of calm at the end of the rush.  A gift I give them to start the day before the busyness of school overtakes them.  A little something to bolster if the day feels rough.

I hope in the future they remember how we talked and we laughed and saw the world covered in its early morning veil.   How we rushed through the have-to to get more of the want-to.

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Scribbles - Day 13

Hidden among my own scribbles in my journal there are markings not made by me.  Imposed over my words are drawings and letters, words and lines written in the hand of others.  Along the margins on many pages are letters shaky in their formations, spelling out an idea that only a child's mind can fathom.

My name is imprinted across the cover, but it's inside where the love and hope and joys and cheers, where the fears and hurts and tears mingle to paint a picture of the heart of me.  These are the parts of me that only one other truly knows.  I pour the words out in ink or lead in an attempt to make sense of all I feel and think.

Although the journal belongs to me, my children have felt compelled to insert themselves into it with me.  Oh how annoyed I felt that first time I noticed the markings and scribbles.  I felt as though a part of me had been exposed and handled carelessly.  Turning the pages, I came to the back cover where I found this:

I realized then that they weren't defacing something of mine; they were sharing something of mine.  They understood that this book was mine to write in and capture my thoughts because we had talked about it.  I had explained why I wrote in my journal and had encouraged them to do the same if they wanted, giving them journal books of their own to doodle or scribble in.  But even still, they wanted to share what was mine.  I have a well founded suspicion that all of them have written in it.

Now as I reread the words I've written, my dreams are forever intertwined with these amazing little people in a tangible way.  When I see their childish lines and letters, I treasure even more the input they add to my dreams and thoughts.  It warms my heart that they so desired to be a part of me, a part that they saw was important to me.

I want to teach my children so many, many things.  I hope they remember me writing in my journal, sitting with pen in hand recording my dreams.  I want them to see every area of my life as an example.  I want them to know the value I placed on doing something that was important to me.  I want them to know it's okay to do something just because you want to, not just because it makes sense.  I want them to follow their hearts and be the best people they are made to be.

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Thankful - Day 12

Warmth lingers this autumn.  It's lovely.  Nature is providing us with a beautiful fluctuation between brilliant blue sky warmth and heavy grey coolness; sunshine and clouds; warm breezes blowing and cold dismal rain; open windows and crackling fires.

I so enjoy warm, sunny days of any season.  This year I am not only enjoying the weather, but I am thankful for it.  Earlier this fall I acknowledged to myself that I might not get to everything in my garden before frost.  Each time I watch the temperature needle drop low, I admit defeat for the remaining vegetables and am okay with letting them go.  So far though, we've been spared.

Our garden lies at the back corner of our property, hidden from my view by the woods that cover most of our four acres.  Although we love living at the edge of the woods, it doesn't afford an open, sunny location for a garden closer to the house.  In the growing season I am in the garden every day, seeing what has sprouted, blossomed or produced the first tiny vegetables.  But this time of year, days pass between my treks.

There is something so right about finishing off the garden on Thanksgiving Monday.  Beautiful skies, warm breezes blowing, boys laughing, husband home and my hands in the dirt harvesting food to feed my family.  Is there anything other than thankfulness I could feel with all of this surrounding me?

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Salsa! - Day 10

Some days are about finishing up those pesky bits of the to-do list that never seem to be finished.  Usually they are those items that aren't really all that necessary but would be nice to be completed and off your mind.

However, if you're anything like me, those undone items are those things that I'd really like to have done, but take more time than I can put aside right now.  I find a deep sense of satisfaction when I can check things off my to-do list.  My to-do list has become a very necessary tool for me to function and more forward with all the things that our large family need.

Well, I think everyone in this house is glad that today turned out to be Salsa Day!  Our family loves salsa; not quite as much as pancakes and popcorn, but it's right up there in the favourites list.  I had the whole day at home without any plans when I got up.  Seeing the peppers and tomatoes sitting, waiting for my attention, made the decision of how to spend my Saturday easy.

See, Salsa!

My fingers and lips are still burning, my sinuses are open, and the house is filled with a delicious spicy aroma.  It's lovely to see the red jars all lined up.  My only disappointment is that it's too late in the season for me to make more.

Yes, checking that off my to-do list for the year, now that makes me really happy.

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Fireside - Day 9

Autumn heavy skies hung low with clouds,  The gloom lingered long after the cold showers ceased by noon.  The light breeze evoked a shiver just watching the crimson leaves swirl and twist.

Today was a home day.  I arranged to take dinner to mom along with three of the boys.  My day was allowed a slower pace.  It was nice not to have to leave my home today.

But this,  

this was my favourite part of the day.  Listening to the crackle and pop of the warming fire blazing inside, adding cheeriness to counter the drab of the day outside.  Sometimes, dancing flames shift moods to better dispositions.

'Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Thoughtful Gems - Day 8

When the key word of the day is 'busy', any little extra can feel like a super big extra instead.  It becomes just a little too easy to live with emotions on the edge of spilling over at the smallest provocation.  In an effort to to minimize the time it takes to do a task, things can be overlooked or left not quite finished.

Although one of my goals for this year has been to make some necessary changes towards better time management, I'm still a work in progress.  The last few weeks have been more juggling of my time than normal.  I had hoped to be a little further towards my goal when my mom had her surgery a month ago but I am not there yet.  My sister stayed with my mom, caring for her the first two difficult weeks she was home from the hospital.  Now that my sister has returned to her home in another province, the bulk of the responsibility to help falls to me.  I do it gladly, but, sadly, I don't do it effortlessly or efficiently.  It is a complete juggling act!  

Today was physio day for my mom.  Dylan and I picked her up and took her to the appointment.  When we returned back to my mom's we walked in to find homemade biscuits on the table with a note from my mom's friend saying there were also TWO homemade soups in the fridge!  What a gift!  Between both my mom and dad, they have only been managing easy foods like eggs, toast and opening cans.

This thoughtful lady shared more than the gift of a meal.  She offered my mom some of the nourishment she needs to continue to heal.  She gave my mom a much needed reminder that she is being thought of and prayed for.  She provided my parent's some independence to do for themselves without feeling like a burden.  (They certainly are not!  But I know mom feels she is since there is so little she can do still.) 

And she offered me time.  Time to spend just visiting with my mom for a little longer than I would have if I had had to prepare a meal as I was planning.  It also afforded me enough time to see to some other necessary chores that I hadn't gotten to yet this week.  And even when I returned home I didn't feel quite as behind as I do some days and my patience with my boys was a little more gracious.

Yes, the thoughtfulness of one person can impact many.  Never hesitate to do something kind for others.  You never really know what it will mean for them.

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Skating Gems - Day 7

What could be more fun than skating on an early dismissal day!

It was a bit of a rush to get there since we had to find skates that fit before we could leave.  Last year we never managed to make it for a free skate because, well, life isn't always simple.  Probably a lot more organization would help.  Sometimes it's more about lack of co-operation.  But last year I suspect a grumpy bear would have been napping at the time of an early dismissal free skate.

Even though we didn't get there for the whole time, the boys had a great time.  We're not a hockey family.  We haven't yet started skating lessons.  My boys are wobbly out there on the ice but it really doesn't matter to them.  They just go and do it in all their awkward, uncertain, hesitating motion and they enjoy every bit of it.  I'm proud of them for trying hard and not being discouraged if they fall.  Because if they do, they just get back up and keep going.

Oh to be like my boys and give everything I do my all!  Oh to be like my boys and persevere through the wobbles and tumbles to get back up and go on.  Oh to be like my boys and enjoy life with zest no matter who is looking to see all my fumbles and imperfections.



Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems