There are these invisible moments
of throw your head back laughter
and let’s read another page together
and sure, why couldn’t we go for a walk
that produce no product per se,
moments unseen in a world of idols,
but these are seen by the Invisible God,
these moments visibly shining
into eternity…
May all your wanderings this weekend, kind friends,
be about the moments
that last forever.
All’s grace,
Dear AnnAll of my chicks have left the nest. They are rearing and nurturing their own.
It’s funny that all of the messy piles of unfolded laundry and the mail and important papers that lined the counter, the things I longed to have put in order when they were here — are still here.
But, they and their sounds and their smells, the fragrance of their presence have gone. Drifted into the memories I hold and cherish.
I do not live in the past but I would love to have one more day when I hear their laughter and their conversation drift down the stairs and the aroma of their shampoo from their bath and the clamour of books and items being prepared for school.
Just the joy of their daily lives intertwined with mine and their activities shared with me hourly. It all escaped too suddenly.
There were many days I wished for just a little quiet. Now the quiet is sometimes way too loud.
So, a little revelation from one who has been where you are, in the middle of domestic chaos:
Enjoy every inch of the mess and those responsible for it, appreciate the unfolded laundry and the scattered papers, books, and shoes, smile at the dirty dishes and tracked floors.
They are all a real sign of real life going on around you. Life to be loved and lived and devoured one minute at a time.
If only there were a way to lasso the days and slow them down and hold on to each moment and each child. If only!
Your friend in Christ,
Anna Margaret in Louisiana
Ann,
I have limited energy… I have five children, two of whom are more challenging than most (one with down syndrome, one with cerebral palsy, on oxygen, feeding tube and all) and I have cancer, which we continue to battle for the moment (although that may change on Monday… please pray….)
Some days — No, pretty much every day — when my babies and I are snuggled in my nest/bed I worry if I’m making the right choice.
When the doorbell rings and people let themselves in and have to make their own path to the kitchen and clear off some random horizontal surface if they want to sit down, I think perhaps I could have used my energy to park the kids somewhere and find some old flylady printouts …
I think I’m going to print out your blog post — on getting the priorities straight, on things unseen — instead.
[It is official. "Priorities: All Things Unseen" is printed and taped on the fridge.]
For me… it’s much more constructive than flylady.
Thank you.
Elizabeth DeHority
Charlotte, NC
Photos: the sky last Sunday afternoon here, letters posted with gracious permission
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