Not the Day I Wanted
I woke up with high hopes for this Tuesday. I moved to the sunroom for my morning time with the Lord, dressed up my oatmeal a bit, and brewed my hot tea but chased it with water. Even with some low-level heavy emotions, I had energy and focus, surprising after my hormone-induced night sweats. My youngest was complaining of a stomach ache so he stayed home from his homeschool hybrid academy. Within an hour, he threw up all over the carpet in the homeschool room.
It’s hard when home becomes a sickbay. My plans were waylaid. The quietness I was craving evaporated. I didn’t envision myself on hands and knees scrubbing the carpet. This was the moment of surrender. I realized that today wouldn’t be a day of rest or renewal or creative exploration, but instead, it would be a day in the trenches of service and care. I lined a bucket with a trash bag. I put together a book and activity basket for him. I heated soup. I washed and folded loads of laundry. Disinfected surfaces. Picked up groceries. Prepped dinner.
After all the cleaning and tending, I decided that beauty would soothe my soul. I took time to drink a green smoothie and read a design book out on my back porch in this glorious weather. After my other children came home, I took off to a locally owned plant shop to purchase a medium-red geranium for my front porch. And a few other small plants for my back porch.
As I sit here reflecting on the day, waiting for our Oven Chicken Risotto to finish cooking, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. It was tempting to fall into a pity party and to allow negativity to frame my day, but there was a moment where I surrendered. I accepted the day I was given instead of pining away for what I wanted. And in the end, there were sweet moments of filling. A smoothie, a book, a pretty geranium plant, dinner in the oven, children loved and served. That’s a good day. I hope yours was too.
Aimee