a place for your soul to breathe
Emily’s internet has disintegrated so the Sister is here while on the phone with her, trying to find a photo of something other than furniture to post. She’s at home with a sick boy, no internet, no cable no home phone, enjoying a Tuesday 1800′s style.
Here are some of my favorite lines from those of you who participated in Tuesdays Unwrapped this week.
“I mourned the end of summer break and the start of a new season of my life. The one where both of my children go to school all day and I learn how to be a different kind of mom. He showed me that my youngest starting kindergarten is really not about me. He reminded me that it’s been His plan all along, this growing up thing.” Brianna, And Then Some More
. . . because when I read her words, something dislodged from an anxiety place inside me and I could breathe a little easier. It’s not about me, this is as it should be . . .
“Outside, black to blue to gray to pink, it is the most amazing time of day. Light washes away Darkness, Dawn gives birth to Morning.” Patty, Finding Serendipity
. . . because she sees worship in nature as perhaps no other, and she appreciates the beauty of light.
“Test results do not shake Him. Disease does not confuse Him. Toddlers do not try Him. Sin does not override Him. He sits secure today.” Lara, My Adventure With God
. . . because she is a friend in real life and I can hear her sweet voice as she says it. And because I know she believes it and because I know it’s true.
“First I notice the…remnants from last night’s supper scattered beneath the metal table. How can I rest when carpenter ants scavenge brittle pizza crust? When a rainbow of moon sand from this afternoon’s play glitters across the cement, begging to be swept? So I sweep. Return broom to garage. And I sit again.” Michelle, Graceful
. . . because I do this, too; this resting that mingles with activity that just won’t stop. And because she finds a way to do both without feeling guilty.
Join us here every Tuesday as we seek to discover gifts in the midst of the messy, the lovely, and the unexpected.
“All who would win joy must share it; happiness was born a twin.” -Lord Byron
They have always been buddies, but as we approach first grade this week, they seem to have grown into more. They are connected, these two. They are connected in ways I am understanding less about, but appreciating more. I have of course always been thankful for them, but the feel of this thankfulness changes as they grow. As those long restless nights of nursing two at once have faded fuzzy, I have a growing respect for the gift of twins, for the beauty of two girls at one time and what it will mean for them for a lifetime. I take great comfort in knowing they will always have each other.
Is there a gift that has slowly changed form over time? Are there small, subtle gifts in your hands even now? The guidelines for Tuesdays Unwrapped are here. In summary, link up with the permalink to your unwrapped post, or your link will be deleted. I would also ask, as a courtesy, that you would please link back here to Chatting at the Sky by either using the button or a text link somewhere in your post. Thank you.
Goodbyes are not my favorite. Which is why, when the end of summer comes around, I tend to want to rush through it and get out my fall candles and sweaters. Because if I linger too long in the endings, it makes it harder for me to transition to the beginnings.
It’s the same reason why, on the last day of vacation, I want to pack the car the night before and hit the road first thing. There will be no visiting the beach just one more time. There will be no last minute ice cream cones. There is us and there is the car and there is on-our-way-home. Because to linger is to be sad. I don’t like that.
But this summer is different. There is one full week left, and I’ve yet to pull out the pumpkin spice candles. There isn’t a hint of packing away the bathing suits. There is sitting by the pool and slow mornings and jammies ’til noon. There is lots of jumping in just one more time, over and over again.
I’d like to think Tuesday has something to do with this embracing, but it could also be because this is the first true summer break we’ve had now that my kids are school-age. I know the rush that is about to begin. And so I linger.
What are you lingering over today? The guidelines for Tuesdays Unwrapped are here. In summary, link up with the permalink to your unwrapped post, or your link will be deleted. I would also ask, as a courtesy, that you would please link back here to Chatting at the Sky by either using the button or a text link somewhere in your post. Thank you.
