This morning, I'm reveling in something that rarely (if ever) happens around here....and on a Saturday morning, none the less! I am home. Alone. HOME ALONE!
Art took the 3 younger girls to the church for their practice for the Christmas concert and then him and Hannah were going on a shopping date for Hannah's secret sister. So that leaves me home. alone. It's a Christmas miracle!
It's funny, I long for these times, and yet, when they are here, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself! After the flurry of getting everyone ready and suited up (it's -40C with windchill this morning!) and out the door, I'm taking a few moments to sit. In the quiet. By myself. I had a leisurely breakfast. By myself. I cranked up some tunes (what I wanted to listen to, not kids music!). And now, I sit. Listening. To the hum of the dishwasher (I can hear it after I turned down my music). To the quiet.
As I sit in my new favorite place (this chair!), I realize that listening is a discipline that I am unaccustomed to. I'm used to talking. Doing. Rushing. Reminding (otherwise known as nagging...). Ordering. And then talking some more. And let me tell you, I'm digging "listening". It's been too long since I've just sat. And I am reminded that this is something that I must make time for. It's something that feeds my soul. And my spirit.
And in this quiet, the quiet I many times long for, I realize that, although this quiet is glorious, I do love the sound of life. The sound of little girls giggling. And footsteps pounding up and down the stairs. And the endless chatter. And the never ending question...."Mom?" And I am thankful. Thankful for the quiet. And the opportunity to sit. And listen. But I am also so thankful for the life.
