Sep. 27, 2007 - What is important....
Goodness – where did September go??!
It’s always a big month in our house as we batt our brains to come up with the ‘right’ gift for hubby. In
Actually ‘truckload’ is quite an exaggeration as dh never asks for much…never wants much. His stock answer for ‘what do you want for your birthday, dad?” is “peace and quiet”. For a while there the kids would pretend to be ‘Peace’ and ‘Quiet’ on those special days, but being kids it barely lasted till breakfast when their ‘Ruckus’ and ‘Loud’ personalities would emerge instead. This always ensures a rumble through the house after teasing dad, with screaming kids running away from dad as he chases them and throws them onto the couch declaring himself the mighty victor. Meanwhile mother stands over the cooktop making pancakes that ache to be smothered in butter and maple syrup.
Of course this scenario is repeated on both of dad’s special days this month. So as this September draws to its close we look forward to next year’s re-enactment of the teasing, scuffling, chasing and victor’s breakfast once again. I love tradition.
September also uncovered some health issues that may have serious impact on a family member, and in turn the family as a whole. Over the next week or two we shall discover more, but for now this awareness has magnified every moment we share together, and the measure with which we show love and appreciation towards one another. Each smile, every deed, all those unspoken words of gratefulness that suddenly seem to want to spill across our lips, every spontaneous hug….they take your heart to a new depth in the very core of your being.
In our lives, so much of day to day family dynamics is glanced over as one would slide one’s eyes across an old newspaper – yet when the threat looms that these seemingly mundane things may be taken away you discover yourself memorising the movements of a young hand as it sweeps a stray lock of hair behind an ear, or listening with rediscovered intensity the deep chuckle as a lanky teen shares a joke. The eyes that you have gazed at each morning for so many years suddenly seem older, you see the lines that time has carved and you say a silent prayer of thanks to be loved by so wonderful a man as this. Yes…little things become big. And what you thought were the big things, the important things, fade away.
Today take your eyes off the big stuff.
Today…listen with your heart. Look with your love. Hug them so hard they will always remember today.
God be with you.
Comments
Sep. 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Robin
Jenny,
I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing. Hang in there my friend and always keep the faith.
Praying for you!
