I laid on my bed reading Goodnight Moon to Gray over and over while he jumped on my back, paused to help me say "hush" and then jumped on my back again.
In between pages Carter ran through the room in his underwear, then did a little dance out the door. Noah entertained the baby on the floor and I blinked snapshots with my eyes. Carter's Vaudeville act blink. Gray's love for this story blink.
Remember this.
I'm guilty of thinking fondly of who I used to be and who I will someday be but who I am now? She is forgotten, un-lovely, and in need of quite a bit of maintenance.
But she is special and she is useful and she is something to remember.
She is a Gatherer: Moonlight, Found Wishes, Moments of Gratitude.*
This is my life right now, where I am. Today, not tomorrow, not yesterday.
Who I am blink.
*Title and words from a journal Beth gave to me.
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour writing is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove this
ReplyDeleteJust love this post!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a question! Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeing here is challenging. I want to soak up every moment of this messy/crazy/funny/gorgeous/irritating/sweet time that my son is little. Everyone says how fast it all goes and I believe them.
Thank you for your graceful reminder.
When Anna was little, I read that book to her every night, until I no longer needed the book for the words. I can still recite it, like it's a nursery rhyme taught when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Stephanie. When I saw the title of the journal, I knew, it was yours.
"all around her things bloom nonstop." So perfectly true for you. So perfectly true.
And unlovely? God, no.
Wow, I love it too. Such a great reminder to not be so focused on the past or the future, but to truly live in the moment.
ReplyDelete*Goodnight Moon was my oldest's favorite too.
Most Beautifully said.
ReplyDeleteThat was so lovely; I loved it!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and may I just say you are so lovely!
ReplyDeleteVery, very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love that book. We read it to Luke every single night, and sometimes, I need it more than him.
ReplyDeleteYou are anything but unlovely, Steph. You're beautiful, and Beth was right when she knew that journal was meant for you.
You have such a beautiful way of getting to the heart of the matter.
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling that way too. The unlovely, forgotten, in need of maintenance part, anyway. You reminded me of the rest, which I needed to hear. Perfect post. Really just perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt's easiest for kids to bloom when Mom is blooming too. I think you're growing a beautiful garden, with you at the center.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, and so true!
ReplyDeleteGirlfriends are good.
ReplyDeleteOne reason I love you so is that you seem to be right smack dab in the middle of where I am. Thanks for writing, friend.
Goodnight Moon is one of our favorite books. My kids (8 &4) still request it at bedtime. This is a beautiful post. Your words are always so eloquent.
ReplyDeletebeautiful. Inside and out.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct...too many times I wish to see who I will be in the future and LONG for more time, more energy, more ME. But we gotta remember our kiddos need us more than we need us :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis so pretty. Your writings fill me to the brim with warm fuzzies.
ReplyDeleteI had the same moment today. Watching B run through the grass at full speed. I never want to forget.
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous. Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful, Steph.
ReplyDeleteWhen you wrote, "I'm guilty of thinking fondly of who I used to be and who I will be someday..." - I almost cried. Something about it really resonated. Deep down. Thank you for reminding me to cherish the present, while still remembering the past and reflecting on the future.
a nice thought. our days can be so full we dont really live in the present moment. being aware and conscious of the present will make you feel so much special and good inside. namaste to you!
ReplyDeleteGoodnight Moon was the first book I had for my first child. I cried reading it for the first time. The book is perfect, and so is this post.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I know I can't be fulfilled with every day of my life, but I try to hold onto what really matters to me... I try...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I can so totally relate to this, "I'm guilty of thinking fondly of who I used to be and who I will someday be but who I am now? She is forgotten, un-lovely, and in need of quite a bit of maintenance.
ReplyDeleteBut she is special and she is useful and she is something to remember." Great writing.
Thanks for reminding me Steph. I think we all get caught up in our "roles" that sometimes we do forget who we are. I find my mind wandering sometimes thinking about the future . . . but you're right, live for today because tomorrow is not promised to us.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post! Thank you for once again reminding me to enjoy the simple things of being a mommy...
ReplyDeleteI love this. It's a reminder to not only live in the moment sometimes, but to also remember the moment, and to cherish not only others but also oneself throughout the various phases and moments of life. What a gift =)
ReplyDeleteThat was just so beautiful to read. Thanks for writing it...
ReplyDeleteYou are so very pretty.
ReplyDeleteInside and out.
Thank you for this gentle reminder.
ReplyDeleteSo true and said so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteJenn