The Ordinary Can Be Extraordinary

I watched my little Faith sleep beside me, her breaths moving gently in and out, her pouty lips looking so naive, her arms wrapped around her blanket like a mother bear cradling her cub.  It's all so ordinary, but it's extraordinary at the same time.  I cherish those moments!  She's done it for seven plus years on this earth of ours, and I never tire of seeing it, watching her sleep.  As long as I can keep my weary eyes open, I look upon her, because one day she will not be here.  Whether she's heading off to a job or school, attending a sleepover party, going off to college, marrying her love or even passing on to her new life......one day this special time will be gone, only a tender memory.  I don't know what God has planned for my Faith, but I know this time will not last forever.  Nothing in this life does, that I know.  I have all sorts of hopes and dreams for my precious little Faith, but I've learned life changes in a split second.  So here I am, gazing at every crevice of her little face, every breath.  It all seems so ordinary but for me, it's extraordinary.  Here I am beside her, watching and knowing and thanking the one above for all that I have.....especially this moment, watching my baby sleep.  I can't say what a grieving mother feels, I can only imagine what a mother's heart might feel, and I can't bear to think of it.  It is only known to those who live it, and I've heard that they don't wish that journey on anyone.  Lessons of life and new awakenings are learned, but I bet any parent would never want or wish that loss on anyone.

Lucy spent the night in Faith's room last week, so there we were, mother and daughter, me watching her so intently.  This child of mine speaks almost nonstop in her waking moments so I truly cherish these quiet times.  The waking hours are ordinary, too, as she tells me every last detail of her day, her TV shows, the books she's read or the friends she played with that day.   I didn't want my Faith to wake little Lucy during the night, as she makes her way to our bedroom, as it's a time in her life where monsters enter her dreams, so I am not surprised by her visits during the night.  There we were, the two of us, mother and daughter,simple and ordinary, but it's one of the best experiences of a mother, watching your child relax and breathe in the night.

I'm trying to make my life simpler in a generation where success is measured by careers, extra curricular activities, awards or how much you can accomplish in a day's time.  Those things aren't important to me anymore, but I do care about my sanity and the ease of my homelife, the stress level of my kids, and the support needed by my husband.  All those are priorities to me, not the sports or activities, not even their academics.  I do support and hope they will try their best in school, but their overall happiness and self-confidence are most important to me.  My hopes for my children are to have faith in the one above who will strengthen and guide them no matter what.  I want them to trust their gut, live with passion for what's truly important, and live with the simpler gifts in mind.   

The ordinary can be extraordinary when we all sit together as a family sharing a meal, which we're able to do on most nights .  Life seems to spin out of control at times with time commitments, school meetings, activities and such, but I try to take breaths inbetween and appreciate the ordinary.  Peace and being present, knowing what exists around you rather than existing in time, faster and faster, always doing.  I can't stand that pace, and sometimes it's required, but I still don't like it.  What's truly important?  Choose what's important to you, not what you think you should be doing by other people's standards.  Do you pay attention to the skies, the blooming flowers, a fall breeze or the comfort of a warm coat?  Do you pay attention to the smiling baby or even the smiling son or daughter who lives in your house?  Do you ever watch your children sleep, wondering where all their energy resides while they lay so peacefully?  Are you noticing the signs of God's presence amongst you, those little nudges from strangers who might need a listening ear?  Do you stop and take pause in the ordinary or do you always have to be moving, moving, moving? 

In this world where success is often measured in dollars, awards or professions; I find it's an uphill battle at times, trying live an ordinary life that can be so extraordinary.  When I'm asked, "What are your plans, you know, like a real job?  Have you tried this?  or that?  Did you call this person or that place?"  Perhaps it appears complacent, lacking luster or drive, but for me, I'm choosing not to always be doing.  In a flash, we'll ask ourselves, where did it all go?  What have I accomplished in my life?  I want to be able to say that I learned and saw, enjoyed the true beauties, loved, questioned and took pause, and then I saw some more.  What a journey it was!  How ordinary it can be and yet........EXTRAORDINARY!