The Best Things
One of the best things about a blog is that it’s your own. It’s like being the alpha dog with the bone. It’s mine; all mine. If you don’t like it that’s okay--- it’s really not about anyone but me. My little moment in time where I can be myself, say the things I want to say and leave my children an image of who their mother was. It’s for the real me that can’t come out and play all the time because whoever was in charge that day would have to duct tape me to a chair and put tape over my mouth.
So, this (writing) is one of the best things that I have discovered. Some mornings I wake up and my mind is running 80 miles per hour with lists. It’s like an interstate system in there sometimes; I’m supposed to be on the main thoroughfare, but thoughts keep entering from the on ramps and exiting on the off ones. My mind is one big list.
Lists… great things. I have them everywhere. By my chair in the living room, kitchen, sewing room, bedroom, car, garage, lawnmower, the really important ones get taped to the door to the garage so I have to see them nine times a day—yet how come that item on that particular list never gets accomplished? Post-it pads… priceless.
Rising in the morning, turning the corner of the hall and seeing the sunrise cutting a slash across the sky with a ribbon of crimson, orange and yellow—colors unknown to anyone but God himself. Watching the storms roll in, rushing in and out, around and through the house trying to get the best view. Standing outside when the front moves through and the temperature drops 20 degrees and it takes your breath away.
Sitting in my chair in the late afternoon waiting for my phone to ping with the message that The Hubby is “heading home”. So I watch the clock and give him thirty minutes to arrive. I wait to hear the garage door rise; that is the best sound of my day.
The best thing for a cranky mama is to take a break and go play with the animals. Finding that long-haired kitten and rolling him over and rubbing his fluffy little belly, scratching them under the chin and behind the ears trying to get them to purr. Putting peanut butter on your fingers and letting them lick it off with their raspy, pink tongues. Giving the dog the attention he deserves. I roll him over and find his tickle spot that makes his hind leg go wild. Soon it will be time to brush him out. Nothing better than doting on your pets. They need you, they rely on you, and they love and adore you unconditionally. Pets—the best thing.
Waking up and finding that The Hubby has started the dishwasher or hung up the clothes in the dryer because you forgot about them. Finding the honey-do notes… ‘make an appointment’, ‘get six fuji and two gala apples’ (he knows me so well… I need specifics!) and signing the note with ‘I love you’.
They say the best things in life are free. It’s true. Things that you can never buy in a store. A smile, a touch, a grin, a pinch, a look, a laugh, a sigh… the intangibles. Those are the best.
The ultimate best thing? Children. Especially your own. Pitter-patter of little feet in the middle of the night, tapping on your arm: “I had a bad dream, mommy.” Letting them climb in bed and be protected by the best thing they know. Isn’t it nice to know that at one time (anyway!) that you were the best thing in your child’s life? Now, that is too cool! Tiny little helpless creatures that grow into gangly teenagers with moods to match and then magically transforming into young adults. Watching them grow, seeing the little quirks of genetic magic that was deposited in them from you and your spouse. Their passions, humor and emotions—those kids rock my world. I exhaust myself with worry over them one day, and the next I am bursting with pride. How did I get so lucky? How come I am so blessed? I think it’s because God gives us only the best and nothing less.
Some days you have to scratch and dig a little deeper to find the best. It hides around each corner in every situation and in everyone you meet. If you're willing to take some risks and have some adventure, it’s there… waiting. Go for it, go find the best things.
No comments:
Post a Comment