Little Moments

I don't know how it is for everyone else, but lately it has been very easy for me to sit back, take a deep breath, and live in the moment - knowing that, while there is a lot wrong in the world, everything is as it should be in my life right now.

A couple of weeks ago, we hosted our annual Thanksgiving Dinner - it started out as a group of teachers who were not going "home" for the holiday, and has turned into a gathering of friends and family from all over the city. As it happened, after dinner I found myself in the playroom with our son and my parents. Our son was kicking his mini-soccer ball at Grandma. For her part, Grandma was totally involved in this game, loving this time with her grandson. Unfortunately, Grandma got a little too involved, which resulted in her kicking the ball harder than she intended. As an observer, I was reminded of a cartoon - the ball struck our son square in the face, and he seemed to spin backwards head-over-heels at least 4 times before landing on his back (of course, the 3 glasses of wine I had consumed could have altered my perception...). Grandpa, Grandma, and I all held our breaths in anticipation of the reaction - and we were all shocked to hear giggles in place of the screams we were expecting.

As we laughed about my mother's over-exuberance and innate soccer ability, she asked if I even remembered life before we welcomed our son home.

This was one of those sit-back-and-sigh moments. Of course I remember life before bringing the little man home...but it was so fundamentally different. Everything has changed....literally everything. Things that were once important are all but forgotten, and things that were once mundane are now the highlight of my day.

Last night, my activities included some laundry, grocery shopping, dish washing, and some general tidying-up. Since Husband was at a meeting, it was just me and Bubs. Every step of the way, he was right next to me, often wanting to help. As I was transferring clothes from the washer to the dryer, he was waiting patiently for me to finish so he could close the dryer door. If he didn't feel like the hamper was in the right spot, he would move it to a place more to his liking (even if that place was in the middle of the walkway in the living room). He worked hard, allthewhile chatting away. Even though I have no idea what he was talking about now, I know that someday I will be able to understand him - so I am choosing to NOT wish these moments away. I'm happy to let him be himself - to explore, to help, and to be loved.

I know it is easy to see the bad in the world right now, and it is hard to escape. Take a moment, take a breath, and find peace *grin*

From our family to you and yours,

Happy Holidays!