However, this morning, as I emerged from my bathroom having gotten myself showered and dressed for church, I was greeted by three lumps huddled underneath the comforter of my bed. It was almost as though the Three Bears had decided to turn the table on Golidlocks paying an uninvited visit to her abode, and infiltrating her surroundings. There was a Big Bear, a Medium Sized Bear, and a Little Bear. All of them snuggled deep within the softness of our down bedding with the covers pulled right up to their chins. Little Bear sighed contentedly in the middle of her favorite Brother Bears and in turn they curled around her whispering funny words in the hopes of hearing her laugh. They didn't notice my presence at first and so I enjoyed one of those rare, blessed moments when we get to stand on the outside and look in. And I marveled, as I have so many times before, in their very existence.
I smiled as I watched them flip on our TV and settle in together to watch a cartoon. The show was well beneath the sophistication of the boys but they watched anyway- letting Pumpkin have her way. They propped up pillows and helped Pumpkin position herself just right so that she could stay snuggled underneath the covers while also being able to watch the show. These are the things older brothers can teach you.
I retreated back into the depths of my closet to retrieve my shoes and had to chide myself for the internal drama I had created this past week. I not only live with the blessing of three living children, but three children who are still young enough to want to climb into their parent's bed and watch cartoons on a cold, Sunday morning. There will be other seasons and I really do know that they will bring their own goodness and unexpected rewards. But this season is still here and I would do better to revel in the present than to fear the future. There is still work to be done and, god willing, there is still time... lots of time.
7 comments:
And this makes me realize that I want time to speed up. So that if anything bad happens, at least it will be over quickly.
This story is so so sweet, and exactly the reason waiting was so hard on me this past year. And loosing or postponing this is still the thing that scares me about my current situation.
It's nice to see you get an unexpected glimpse on this Sunday morning. May there be many more.
This makes me laugh, because there's nothing my boys enjoy more than lounging in our bed. Ben claims it's infinitely more comfortable than his own bed -- he's probably right. ;)
Lovely picture you painted.
oh lori...this is what i struggle with. this is why i want another baby...because all of my three babies will be out the door on the same day- for kindergarten, for college. i think about those seasons too, and try to decide what i need to do now based on that. i also want them to be the older siblings to a little one, like they were supposed to be. i try to live in the moment but there's just so much to consider.
I love this post! As a mother of a thirteen year old boy, I have really been thinking of how short our time with him is. It seems to be passing before I can catch my breath and catch up.
But you are right, there is still time. And the present, especially moments like those, is pretty amazing.
I like how you used seasons to describe this. It reminds me of how people always complain about the weather...too hot...to cold...to windy...each season uncomfortable in its own way. And yet, each season is a miracle and a time to be enjoyed in its own way.
Thank you so much for this gentle, sweet reminder of how precious this time is. My oldest is almost 13 (and my youngest just turned 4) and I'm growing increasingly aware of how fast the time is going! How short his childhood really is as we come towards the end of it. He is looking at the next step with shining eyes and I'm looking at him with wonder. How did that tiny boy, my first child become this almost man? I pray every day that we're equipping him for the next step.
It's so precious seeing the kids all together older and younger. It's one of the things I love most about homeschooling.
Sorry for the long-winded reply but you really touched something for me:)
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