I succumbed to new depths of misery today, in the form of the after-school ski program. I literally, no word of a lie, pulled Littlest One up three cross-country ski- hills, most of which while holding both her poles and mine. And the only music to my ears was her incessant wailing, I mean full-out …
I am home today. Which is to say, I am not at work. Which is to say, I feel like a slacker. So. When one is home, as I myself have now discovered. There are a few things that sometimes occur. Sometimes large brown security trucks arrive unannounced in your driveway, with the unspoken expectation …
The big events in life are fantastic, of course. And when they happen, I am blown over. Awestruck. But it’s the little things that really get me. Those smallest of events, the little graces. And when something little happens to change the course of my day for the better, I know there is nothing else …
Sometimes. A body just needs to know. To feel. A mother’s love. To know that she is there. That she’s within arm’s length, when storylines get dark, ominous, sinister. That she is only a whisper away. When the plot thickens to a portentous climax. When the theatrics prove a bit too much to take. One …
Whomever. Mistakenly claimed that ‘storm days are fun.’ Did not have the exquisite pleasure of living with a bevy of kidlets as is my distinctive delight. Two storm days back-to-back, and I am more exhausted and wrung out now than I was Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. I now know why some animals eat their …
I am steering the van towards after-school destination numero deux in project “My Life as a Chauffer.” A tired Kindergartener rides solo in the backseat, a motley assortment of Foodland bags/backpacks/other odds and ends ride shotgun in the passenger side. And all the while, Veggie Tales blares in the background. One male character says to …
Me: “Students, what are mammals?” Students: “They’re those animals on the movie Madagascar.” ****************** Me:(after a not so quiet, Quiet Time) “Students, do you know the meaning of the word “still” ? Female Student (using a very loud voice): “NO!!!!!! I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS????!!!” No, dear. I don’t reckon you do. And… …
Solitude. Not loneliness of which I speak. Not isolation, nor seclusion. Neither separation, segregation, emptiness. Rather. The peaceful equilibrium without. That quiet moment spent. In prayer. In supplication, meditation, reflection. In contemplative thought. Tranquil moments that restore the soul within. Returning the body to its truest nature, a relaxed state of being. Reinstating the mind …
Little voices, tiny hands. Baby hair still wisps, framing round faces. Wide-eyed. They move, and squirm, roll and tumble. And I try to quiet them, but they are alive with energy. Full of life. We read on the blue rug, I’ll Love You Forever. As I begin to form words on the tongue, I can …
It is a breathtakingly beautiful day outside. I send the Fearless Foursome outside for some fresh air and exercise. What I wish I could write about this experience is this: Everyone played in harmonious co-operation whilst enjoying some excellent winter recreational activity while tromping around in the sparkling snow. What really happened: Everyone proceeded to …
Humble pie always is the hardest to swallow. But before I get to that, let’s start with this. Wednesday’s incident. I was still trying to get over that. Wednesday. Our busiest day of the week, hands down. We have umpteen dozen things to do between dawn and dusk, and that’s just the day job. Then …
I’m doing double-duty tonight. Husband lies feverishly curled up in the fetal position on the couch under that stringy, blue blanket that has seen better days. While the girls and I tiptoe past like fervent mice on a scavenger hunt. Then, on up the stairs to bedtime routines and tuck-ins. I haven’t done the bedtime …