A Warm Blanket
June 25, 2008 | Makes Me Sigh, Snips And Snails
Today was one of those rare days in life where everything was just right.
The sky was clear, the air was clear and most importantly, my calendar was clear.
For the first time in several months, I didn’t have to be anywhere or prepare for anything or look into pleading eyes and say “Just a minute, just one more minute, let me finish this one thing…”
Every day is its own unique and holy creation and this day seems to have been created just for me. I could do whatever I wanted to do and what I wanted to do was hang out with the little boy with pleading eyes.
We spent the afternoon puttering around in the backyard. While I pulled weeds and cleaned out flower beds, he occupied himself with a big plastic tub filled with water from the hose. Today the big plastic tub was a boiling cauldron and he was making soup. Periodically, I stopped pulling weeds to have a taste. But for the most part, we were involved in parallel play. He made soup, I pulled weeds.
From across the lawn and under the shade of my visor, I stole glances at him. He was engaged in an animated conversation with an imaginary soup patron. Just then, a butterfly floated by and whispered in my ear to inhale deeply and remember this moment – grass and earth, water and boy, a river of sky that sails quietly by on the currents of time never to return again.
All was well with the world today. This moment, this is how it should always be.
I inhaled deep and long, painted a picture of this day in my mind, and then exhaled slowly. I felt as though a warm blanket fresh from the dryer had settled upon my heart.
Linus is wrong. Happiness is not a warm blanket. Contentment is.
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All’s right with the world…
June 25th, 2008 at 8:52 amI need to stop and take in those moments more often. They are just so precious.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:10 amThis post just dropped my anxiety level down about 57 notches. I will read this again and again.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:41 amYes, it’s all there, isn’t it? If we take the time to stop and look and listen. And then we chide ourselves for being too busy and not doing it more often.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:50 amBeautifully written!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:11 amI love those moments. Summer especially brings them out, doesn’t it?
How wonderful! I love those moments with my girls.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:12 amI know that exact feeling. It sneaks up on you when you don’t expect it, but you sure don’t want it to end.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:15 amBeautiful! No other words but Beautiful!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:28 amOh yes, exactly as you put it.
Steph
June 25th, 2008 at 10:36 amWhat perfect timing to read this post. I just had a moment like that yesterday. And trust me, they do NOT happen very often. It was the same feelings you described. It was like time stood still for a moment to let me enjoy it a little more. Thank you for sharing your special moment.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:57 amWhat a beautiful post! Your words transported me outside with you and your son. I could see the beautiful clear sky and feel a gentle warm breeze. Thank you for whisking me away for just a moment.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:01 amI’m almost 40 years old and just over the course of the last month or so I’m finally learning - that REAL kind of learning, you know. The kind that’s not resident in your head, but rooted in your heart - that even when the days are dark and alone and chilly, there is a more significant level - the eternal and spiritual one where God reigns - that is forever WELL & PERFECT & STABLE. I’m beyond grateful.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:13 amBeautifully painted, my friend.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:46 amJust then? I was right there in the backyard with you. I think I could even taste that fine soup.
Thank you for a beautiful post, one that reminds us all to soak up the beauty in every day and cherish the moments we are given with those who are so very precious to us.
I’m headed to my backyard…
June 25th, 2008 at 12:17 pmOne word for this post… perfect.
Not in the “nothing is wrong with anything” kind of way. But in the “reminding me that all we need in life are the very basic things… Love what you have” kind of way.
Thank you.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:58 pmSavor those times. They grow up so fast.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:26 pmLovely.
My 2-year-old is big into soup making at the moment, also. It’s her favorite thing to eat, and she makes it on her water/sand table. She’ll bring me bowl after bowl to enjoy.
By the way, I read your blog the entire time I waited for her. As an older (46) first time mom, you inspired me. We’ve had her in our lives for a year now, motherhood is everything I thought it would be. Thanks for helping me through the wait.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:33 pmYou have such a way with words. The big paragraph at the end of your post almost brought me to tears. So often I tell myself to remember this moment, but I’m not so sure that I will remember. The preschool age is such a bittersweet time.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:38 pmThat was just beautiful.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm*makes me sigh too*
June 25th, 2008 at 9:28 pmAnd I’m sure he’ll remember the moment as well. Beautiful.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:33 pmAwh! Aren’t you just the best ever with words! I love your descriptions. I can totally feel and see the moment. Bravo!
June 26th, 2008 at 12:30 amYou have such a gift with words, I could be in that day.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:56 amawe…. how sweet! I love it!
June 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pmYou’re a good momma with the right perspective.
These kind of moments?
Gifts from God. Grace from God.
Enjoy them each one.
peace~elaine
June 26th, 2008 at 3:52 pmSob!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:51 pmWhat a beautiful post!
Thanks for reminding us to do the same….
I have a post that follows you up on this. Once again I am thankful for you and yours, and for your sharing so beautifully your thoughts!
June 28th, 2008 at 6:29 amhugs
Shan