Contemplating Life

  I remember as a young mother The church ladies with hair so gray Would offer unsolicited advice And there was one thing they would often say “Cherish these moments while your child is small Because even though some days seem tough These fleeting joys will pass too soon And you’ll wonder if you did enough. You’ll wish you’d laughed a whole lot more, Sat for more snuggles, held them when they cried, Listened better to their childish chatter And just let the daily chores slide. Embrace that they look at you with wonder now And quickly forgive your mistakes as only children will do; Bend down to their level and enter their world While they still desire time with you.” Looking back their advice was spot on The joys really do pass too fast, And sometimes now my mind takes a trip And remembers the things of the past. I can still hear Logan’s uncontrollable giggles; I remember snuggling with Shannon and books; I remember how Zac pole-vaulted the furnitur

  Years ago a friend (Karen) turned me on to the peaceful ambiance of muted lighting in my home. Most of the time our living area is now lit by strings of white lights that are spread along the beams and/or one string that is wrapped around a small fake tree and a snowman. It is rather a peaceful setting throughout our living room and kitchen, and in all honesty it helps hide the flaws of our old drafty farmhouse that really needs some TLC. However, when you need to find something or read something, then you have to turn on a “real” light. One evening recently, I needed to find a piece of mail that had gotten lost on the ten car pile up that we call our dining table. I turned on the light and as I walked to the table I made the comment, “Wow, now that I’ve turned on the light I realize I haven’t vacuumed in a few days. This floor is a mess! And I need to take care of it soon so it doesn’t get ground in.” My husband smiled and conveyed his typical impish wisdom, “It’s too late in the d