Savor
In this life of work from home mama to littles there is a lot of scurrying and hurrying. There never seem to be quite enough hours in the day to actually do and fold and put away the laundry. Dust and cobwebs collect, and the to do list never quite gets completed.
All of us mamas have heard it. We’ve had the old grandma wistfully pass on wisdom in the condiment aisle…savor this, it goes too fast. I’m going to be absolutely frank with you. I do not savor every moment. The third poop blowout of the day? The seventh waking in the middle of the night? The fit at the request to simply take off your shoes? Yes, there is grace in those moments too, but I cannot say I savor them.
But. But there are those moments in the midst of the mess and the hurry and the tantrums and the poo, oh so much poo, that simply take my breath away. And I’m learning in those moments to stop. To savor. To truly drink it in.
Which is why this morning, with a mountain of tasks swimming in my mind and the focused goal to get out the door to the store, I stopped. The light of a gorgeous spring morning was streaming through the window. Eliana had grabbed a stack of books and settled into the rocker while I got Bella changed and dressed for the day. As I slid socks and a hairbow on, Eliana asked, “Mama, can I hold Bella?” I almost said, “No sweetie, we’ve got to go.” But in a moment of God given shift of focus from task to daughter, I plopped Bella in the chair next to her.
And then stared at the beauty in front of me. This was a moment to be savored.
And a moment that begged for me to drag out the big camera.
Lest you think we lead an idyllic peaceful life here, I’ll have you know that in addition to snuggles…
and kisses…
there was also some pushing…
and some “don’t touch it, Bella!”
But it was perfect in its imperfection, perfect in the fulfillment of so many prayers prayed.
For sisters to know, and bicker, and grow, and above all else, love each other.
Thank you so much for this reminder and these oh so sweet pictures! I, too, am very slowly learning to let go of my plans and savor the sweet moments in the midst of the hard work of mothering.