You can have just as you want it when you are by yourself years from now.
Nana said it. She was across the room, straightening a bookshelf. I sat underneath the kitchen table, amazed and saying out loud that I’d not noticed all those splatters on the chair legs. Asking her how I’d missed it.
But she’s right. And her one sentence turned my thinking around. Her words helped remind me that I want the splatters, just as they are.
The crumbs caught in the crevices.
The butter knife, used and left for me to take care of.
Because the baby dolls won’t always be bundled in the cradle.
The busy car pile up and rumpled rug near the garage is here just for this span of time.
The sopping towel left after the shower? Yes, even this can be counted a gift. Five children are a lot to clean up after. But they are a whole lot more of a blessing. There will be days in my future when everything might be in its place. These full days I’ll count the mess as a gift.
I have it just as I want it.
Counting messy gifts of a busy household plus…
- celebrating birthday girl. Ladies luncheon!
- Baby niece grins!!!! Sunday afternoon with family.
- Leaves dropping, swirling, a few changing.
- Sleeping with the windows open.
- Texts from a friend across the country in the middle of the day just when I’m needing a fellow mama break.
- Children excited about choir, musicals and activities to look forward to.
- Teenage insights.
#2691-2706
“You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring – what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” James 4:14
Aunt Patti says
September 19, 2011 at 2:49 PMYou are so right! Only my kids are gone and it’s still somewhat of a wreck……oh well, maybe I’m keeping it that way to prepare for grandchildren. what a wise mother you are. It all goes by so quickly. But the Lord just widens our hearts to see more and more blessings each day.
Hodgepodgemom says
September 20, 2011 at 2:48 PMYes, widening our hearts to see the daily messes as blessings.
All Things Beautiful says
September 19, 2011 at 4:46 PMAmem! Wise words, my friend.
Kim A. says
September 19, 2011 at 5:56 PMAh, so true! With one away at college, my memories of holding her as a newborn seem like yesterday. How did time go so fast?
Angie W. says
September 20, 2011 at 9:30 AMThanks Nana! Especially for the towel and butter dish. I think I have a late night toast eater. I think I’ll rethink the toast eater into something a little less devilish than previously thought in the mornings. I do enjoy the morning kitchen spiff up and table sorting – all the life that gets put back in order – for life to be easy again today. Thank you Trish and Nana!
Nana says
September 20, 2011 at 1:46 PMAh, the days just slip through your fingers…but look, look at the WONDERFUL memories you already have! Now, I have to go check my eyebrows for crumbs (as that dynamic 5-yr-old once said…)
Forever,
Nana
Hodgepodgemom says
September 20, 2011 at 2:46 PMLove that Ritz cracker crumb quote Nana! Thank you for how you love us all.