Awash with Help

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Please forgive the pun- I think I’ve lived with Mark for too long!

Yesterday Gram and I were folding laundry in the living room with both the baby and cat sprawled out on the pile of clothes. And as we laughed at the antics of the two trying to get our attention, I was struck by just how blessed I am to be in the midst of such chaos each day. Sure it takes at least twice as long to fold a load of laundry now than it did before I had a little person dilligently unfolding each piece just finished, but boy, laundry has never been as much fun!

That’s true about so much of my life these days. When I remember to be fully present and engaged in the moment, whether it be laundry folding, diaper changing, or reading a board book for the thousandth time, I am constantly amazed by what I experience. It would be so easy to let my mind wander, to take out my phone and check Facebook, or pull up a book on the Kindle, but when I resist the temptation, I am able to witness and rejoice in the new discoveries Gianna always seems to be making these days, and am more and more grateful to be home with her.

Just the other day she discovered her eyelashes. We were laying down attempting a nap (a long and arduous process in our house) and were already about a half an hour. Had I not been paying attention, I would have missed how enthralled she was and how gently she kept bringing her fingers up to touch the delicate lashes over and over again. It was as though all the rest of the world had faded away for her. Everything was focused on this new piece of her anatomy she had discovered. For minutes I watched her entranced before she finally drifted off to sleep. It would have been easy for me to miss this sweet little moment with my daughter, and it serves as a good reminder for me during all of the times when I want to disengage. These are the moments I am here for, these are the ordinary joys of my life.