Beginning Again

It's ingrained in the very fiber of our being, this want of a family - a spouse, a child, more children. We long to find that special one to marry, and then to create offspring together. No sooner do those small blessings arrive than do we start wishing for them to grow up, to become more independent, to branch out and become their own selves. But once they do, we yearn for them to be small again, to snuggle into our arms and need us to care for them.

This constant longing for the next (or last, or far gone) stage rob us of the present joy. We spend so much time looking forward (or back) that we miss out on the here and now. And I don't want to miss out on Now anymore, don't want to forget the things of today.

This blog has sat silent for far too long, while I waited for my children to grow up enough that I might have more time to write. But no more - no more will I wish them to be grown, no more will I push off the writing to another day. No more will I let myself forget the small joys among the chaos. No more. This is the beginning of a new chapter in this blog's life - one where I write more and wish less. This next chapter may be less polished and prepared, but it will also more thankful for the days we have. Won't you join me on this next adventure?

Be Gentle

In the middle of the mess and chaos, my voice is raised much too high. "Stop it!" They want to touch anything I've put off limits. "Put that down!" There is banging and crashing and noise. "Be gentle!" And then I hear it - that quiet voice - reminding me to listen to my own words. Stop it - stop letting them get the better of me, stop choosing to yell when I could speak in kindness.

Put that down - put down the to do list and allow them to enjoy the presence of their mother, put down the phone and focus on the children.

Be gentle - be gentle with these little people, whoes lives have been entrusted to my care. Remember that they are fragile, and my words make such an enormous difference in their lives. Listen gently without rushing, move gently and not in anger, speak gently instead of harshly.

And most of all, show them love in all things. Take a deep breath, Momma, and just love them.