Sitting alone watching the icy rain drip down the window pane. Comforted by the sights and smells of my home. My childhood home. I left many years ago to make my own life, have my own family. However, I love to come home. I love to walk through the door and be surrounded by the familiar furnishings, family pictures and the very same Easter decorations that adorned my house as a child. I am thankful to be apart of my family.
As I sit here deep in thought, the depth of gratitude for my life and my family overwhelms me. I started thinking about my girls growing up and how I hope they will always love to come home. I hope it will be a place they can come find rest from the world. I hope it will always fill their hearts and minds with fond memories. Once they have made their own nests they will want to return to where their lives began and bring their children.
I am taking lessons from my mother. She makes every effort to make my trip home relaxing, comfortable and fun. How you ask? She does all our laundry, the minute it comes off our bodies. I no sooner take off my pajamas that they are freshly washed and folded on my bed. She cooks our favorite meals. She always has the kitchen stocked with yummy treats and homemade goodies to eat. We don't need them so much anymore, but when my girls were babies she kept diapers and swim diapers on hand. It's the little things. The special touches. I appreciate them so. She never makes us feel badly when our children break her decorations or spill on her floor. She takes people "potty" and shares the burden of getting the littles drinks five thousand times a day. She never complains about the toys she trips over in the floor. I am grateful.
That is why I put 4 children in the car and drive 12 hours to see my mom and dad. Yesterday, our trip wasn't fabulous, I will admit. Aubrey threw up three times on our drive and the highway we needed to take was closed due to a rock slide. We took a one hour detour through the hills of West Virginia. I'm sure anyone would have given me permission to completely LOSE MY MIND, but miraculously-I didn't. So glad that God has been working on me lately. I have learned to find joy regardless of circumstances. Extra time to count my blessings. I feel so much joy inside for my life. The trip may have taken a little longer, but we made it safe and sound to the place we love. We are surrounded by precious family. My kids and I couldn't be more thrilled.
As I finish my coffee before daylight breaks I enjoy the silence. My thoughts consume me. I think about how I want to be my girls mother now, not their friend. God has given me the charge to raise these little ladies and teach them important lessons. If I rely on God, follow His leading and raise my girls accordingly, I can be their friend later. But not yet. Still too much to teach while they are under my roof.
If I teach them well and pass on the importance of a relationship with God, we will be friends later. Just like my Mama and me. We are best friends because she did the hard work of raising me right when I was young. And now I love nothing more than coming "home" to visit, and chat and laugh cause we're friends.
Blessed chaos. My sister Stacy is also home this week. 7 grand kids, 4 adults and a partridge in a pear tree. Don't forget one happy Nana and Pop. Mama looked at me today and said, " I am in heaven." So glad she feels that way. We refer to their house as, "The House of Yes." The grands get whatever they want and all is well. I am excited to be a grandparent some day and do my share of spoiling. That's what grandparents are for!
The whole trip home Brynn kept saying, "Mama, I know this a long trip but it is soooo worth it." I reply, "You're right sweet girl, so right."
