It is a beautiful fall morning. The girls allowed me to sleep till 8 am, and for that, I am grateful. I like to sleep in on weekends, and as the temperature gets colder and the sun makes its way up later in the morning, it is that much more snuggly, and my bed offers the warmest hugs. Who does not like hugs? So, I appreciate being able to lie in and enjoy those hugs. Until demands for hot chocolate penetrate the air and I get up to provide that service. I will be providing services to the cutest 3-foot bullies in the world for the rest of the day.
Subsequent demands are for kinetic sand activities, and I oblige because I know they will be occupied for at least another 3 hours of almost uninterrupted play. The occasional break, which I must supervise, will present itself, and of course, the snack breaks every 15 minutes and then the breaks to part fights. Who am I kidding? What uninterrupted play? Maybe I should say engaged play.
I sit here at the kitchen table with my thoughts, staring out the window, looking at the yard that we just raked yesterday. The thick covering of leaves proves that we are liars. The leaves have made the lawn their home again. It looks like we have not gathered leaves since the season started. Last night, the wind was violent, forcing many leaves to separate from their stems, but this is a part of their cycle, and nature hardly deviates.
I love this window in the kitchen, just by the table. I get to see people pass by and carry on with their days. The traffic has been less since COVID, almost Walking Dead less. We ventured to the lake a few days ago on foot, and it was almost like I could hear that dismal, grating, ominous music from zombie movies as we plied the streets. A few people were watching us from behind their curtains, and it confirmed that feeling. It is almost like they were saying RRRRUUUUUUUNNNNN. Well, not that dramatic, but you get the picture.
While sitting here with my thoughts, I think of all the opportunities that still exist and new ones that we have been presented with since the pandemic has started. When I say we, I mean all of us, the whole world. People will have so many theories about everything surrounding us and taking over our existence like the men that spied on Canaan. While I am moving on like I must for my sanity and the children’s stability, sometimes I feel helpless, and that is when I realise, or should I say it is confirmed, that we genuinely have no control over anything. There has been so much death in our midst and here I am with the privilege of sitting at my window with my thoughts, free of illness. What a privilege!
Take away from this period in our lives what you will but I am thankful that I have the privilege of being among the living, I am grateful for the twins letting me sleep until 8 am. I am elated that I have four humans who send me to the brink of insanity and barely help me to get off that ledge just in time by putting their tiny hands around my neck and planting a gentle, dove-like peck on my cheek.
In my solace, I have experienced the most creativity; I have connected with my Maker. Sadly, this relationship was lacking, and we as a family have become a more tightly knitted group (gotten more clannish). Your experience might be different, but this is the time to start that project you were talking about because right now you have that time you were saying you did not have. That time is now.
It is very good to reflect on what you are grateful for, especially as each day is a mixed bag. It sounds like you spend a lot of time thinking – which is a nice way to look into your day.
Gratitude is a must.
I love it. We should be grateful for everything that happens every day, small things, big things, simple happiness.
I also love cuddles!
Cuddles are the best.
It is so nice to get a lie in at the weekend where you can just wake up slowly. I love the Autumn time here in the UK too, the colours everywhere are just stunning.
A lie in on weekends is golden. Fall is colourful and beautiful.
Every season has something special and unique, but Fall has an exceptional place in my heart. I am beyond grateful to have had the chance of being in a place where autumn is so vivid and distinct—nothing like little ones playing with orange and brown leaves.
I do love fall and I do appreciate the vibrant colours that come with the season.
This is so beautiful…Reading your lines felt more like reading a poem, really really good! Thank you…
Thank you so much.
That saying is so spot on: Gratitude does change everything * we tend to forget to be grateful for what we do have. and always hold on to what we don’t.
That is 100% true.
I appreciated the references …felt taken away in another space for a moment reading your words.
Thank you.
Thank you for your feedback KA. That is exactly what I want the reader to feel. I feel like I have done my job.