My Mother’s Day Surprise – Time Together is a Gift (FMF: Pause)
// As I sit and stare out the window, the rain trickles down the window pane, and I pause to listen. Silence, sweet silence. I can hear the clock tick, I can hear the dog breathe. I can hear faint rustlings coming from down the hallway. Someone I love is waking.
And I pause to rest.
In the past months, life has been frantic. Packing and planning, sorting and selling. Moving a family across an ocean is a massive task with last-minute urgencies at every turn.
But then Mother’s Day arrived and my life turned upside down. My darling husband is the BEST LIAR (yes, there is such a thing) and he surprised me with a doozie. He and Raelynne (our oldest daughter who has been studying in Australia for almost 2½ years) conspired to surprise me with her un-announced arrival and a 3-week visit.
And they planned it for 2 months without telling me ANYTHING. She just ‘showed up’ at our table for Mother’s Day dinner!
Here is the Facebook video of the big surprise and my ugly Mom cry.
What a glorious surprise! What a perfect distraction to a busy mind that has been struggling to slow down.
“Mommyyyyyyy, spend time with meeeeeee.” (ahhhh, I’ve missed this…)
“Mommyyyyyyy, tuck me innnnnnnnn.” (seriously? You wanna be tucked in again?)
“Mommyyyyyyy, sing me a sooooonggggg.” (alright, alright, I get it…)
Some things never change… [cue giggles]
How deeply comforting to hear her voice in the house again, and the laughter of our beautiful kids as they play Wii together, or listen to music, or play with the dogs. (Josh, we’re seriously missing you.) //
Perhaps it wasn’t that they weren’t laughing before, but I was too distracted to enjoy it. Having Raelynne here has reminded me that
TIME TOGETHER IS A GIFT and we must enjoy it while we have it.
Can you relate?
- When was the last time you paused for a moment to smell the roses? Or play a game? Or cuddle before bedtime?
- When was the last time you paused to breathe deeply and thank God that you are alive for one more day?
My friends, I KNOW there is much to do, but life is short and you never know how much time you have left with your loved ones. I didn’t expect to be separated from my kids for so long. And I, for one, don’t want to waste any more time.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is still called “Today” (Hebrews 3:13a NIV).
“Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
I choose to pause… and rest… and be fully present, today. (My todo list can wait a bit longer.)
Enjoy your Friday!
TIME TOGETHER IS A GIFT! Enjoy it while you have it. Click To Tweet
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Every Friday, I join an inspiring group of writers to write for FIVE MINUTES on a one-word prompt. No editing. No revising. Just WRITE. This week, the prompt word was PAUSE.
Last week, the prompt word was SECRET, but I was too busy ‘pausing’ to write about it. 🙂 Thanks for patience with my sporadic writing schedule.
// indicates the start and stop of the timer. (yes, I went back and added bells and whistles today)
For more information on Five Minute Friday, check out the Five Minute Friday website!
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♥ Have you got yours yet?
IDENTITY: Finding the Proverbs 31 Woman in the Middle of Kid Chaos (Mom Awesomeness Series)
Shauna,
Sweet mama tears in my eyes. Love, love! I am so glad I was placed by God to be your neighbor today at FMF. I needed your sweet reminders. I had a rough night last night with a headache and just that “overdone” mom feeling of I cannot sit or do anything more tonight. I rallied with the help of a foot and neck rub from my enduring and kind husband. I was able to take the 2nd Advil, eat dinner, and snuggle at bedtime a bit even when I wanted to pause and shut down to bed earlier than that. I love our kids, and I love my husband. It’s just hard to pause and show it sometimes with all the “to dos” that vie for our attention. Love, Jenn
Awwwww, thanks Jennifer. Your kind words are so encouraging!
I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough day, but WELL DONE for pressing through the pain and embracing the moments.
I’ve often said that “Capacity is only ever bred under pressure.” That means that you’ve gotten that much closer to SuperMom status today. 🙂 Yay, Jennifer!
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. 🙂
Shauna, this is just so lovely…and it seems I am the second commenter with teary eyes. Thank you for sharing.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2018/05/your-dying-spouse-477-my-reason-to-live.html
Awww, thanks Andrew. Your kind comments are always an encouragement to me. I’m not surprised by your teary eyes. Soldier or no soldier, I’m convinced you’re a big softy inside.
Always welcome here, my friend. .
Love and prayers for both you and Barb!❤️
Aahhh Shauna and family! I feel your mommy heart, your joy, sorrow and big love. So very happy for you on Mother’s Day!! Blessings. Miss you.
Precious, friend! You are so kind and compassionate. You know these emotions all too well.
Praying for you in this season, Adele! Thanks so much for stopping by today! Baie lief vir jou!
I am also a mommy and I can only imagine how happy you must have been. I was fortunate enough to hold my little ones tonight before bedtime and that was my favorite pause of the day. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Bedtime snuggles are the best part of being a mom of little ones. You are so blessed, my friend! Enjoy every second