When you’re young and in love, you don’t really peer into the future and picture yourself washing your make-up off with Suave Kid’s Two-In-One body wash and shampoo. But then, you’re slightly older and slightly wiser and still in love and that Suave Kid’s Two-In-One body wash and shampoo is proof; Proof that your young love was true and good and it grew.
Sometimes writing is therapeutic and free and sometimes time waxes on while I try to un-cram my brain of it’s thoughts. It’s waxing slowly now, but my thoughts aren’t crammed together. They’re chock full of moments lined up one by one, waiting their turn to take a spin.
Like the one from the other morning, when the boys were up at 4:30am for the fifth time in a week and we were dog tired, yet happy. There was no struggle between the knowledge that I should be finding the good in life and actually finding it. There was tiredness, but there were moments of sheer fulness. Where I sat on the red bean bag and cuddled my babies and I really truly felt the fulness. Normally I’d be in the midst of that emotional struggle that happens when things don’t go according to plan, yet in that moment, I realized how lovely the imperfections are. How the tiredness, the mid-morning run for donuts, never quite making it out of pajamas and the toy bins emptying on every floor in the house, those things were all beautiful because they were real.
I think I’m realizing this partly because this week is reserved with no obligations except to seize the day and be thankful and partly because (I’d like to think) this slightly older self, who washes her face with Suave Kids body wash and shampoo most nights, is finally grasping onto the richer side of life. The side that parties hard, knowing that a few vases will crash to the ground in the process; and relishes in the clean-up because it’s proof.
This one, he’s scared to. death. of dogs.
“Helping” with holiday crafts. This one, he’s a sneak attack crafter.
I know it doesn’t come without some disgruntled moments, raised voices or feeling the need to escape sometimes, but those unplanned, messy moments are real and are beautiful. And this week, having both my babies home and nothing needing me except my family, makes me thankful. Thankful for the reprieve in routine that gives me a chance to watch those memories my brain is so chock full of, march themselves out one by one for a thourogh inspection.
I hope this week brings a reprieve for you, one that can usher in the joy and thankfulness this season thrives on.