Tonight as I kissed my Little Miss goodnight, I didn't prop myself on the edge of the bed as I often do -- looking, I imagine, as though I'm poised for my next move (which is often the tackling of a sink full of dishes). Rather I lingered just a bit. It was just the two of us, and when I put my head down next to hers to pray, her simple, revealing words shot straight to my heart: "Oooh, you're sitting down. It's gonna be a good day."
It's gonna be a good day when we linger with our little ones (and big ones!) -- especially on the days when all we can think about is bolting to the next task. As much as I love this time of year, I have to be careful to not get so carried away with the rhythms and routines that I forget why I'm doing it all in the first place.
Yesterday I was visiting with my hairdresser, and during my appointment her daughter was dropped off at the salon. My hairdresser beamed and joyfully welcomed her daughter, calling her by name, as though it had been quite some time since she'd seen her. (In reality it had only been the length of a day at school.) Again, it was so simple, yet such a beautiful reminder to me. I want my kids to know that their presence, their comings and goings, are important to me. When I see their blue eyes (all of them blue, despite my brown!) I want to linger there with joy and make sure they know that they're the most important thing to me in that moment.
So, as these autumn days slip into October . . . remember . . . deep breaths . . . gentle, lingering pauses whether I sit or welcome or whip up dinner or wash those dishes . . . and yes, it's gonna be a good day.
