This afternoon as I sat inside with BOY & GIRL, the sound of Christmas carols playing in the background, I was conscious of the beauty in our cozy afternoon. GIRL sat at her small table painting a bird house that is in itself a painting. And BOY ever the builder/inventor was creating car after car with his Legos. I folded laundry. A task, on most days, that can seem burdensome. Yet, today it was soothing to fold each little item belonging to my children; setting them into neat piles while sipping hot tea.
As my eyes drifted past our lit Christmas tree to the cloudy day outside, I saw a teenage boy walk past, shoulders hunched from the unexpected bitter wind digging through his shirt. He wore no coat. And I took a long breath and thought about all the people out in the cold today and everyday. All of those people who don't have Christmas lights let alone food and shelter. So many...so very many.
I said a silent prayer of gratitude. Then I walked over to GIRL & BOY and kissed their sweet heads. I needed to touch them. To feel their warm cheeks, safe in a house they can call home. GIRL so intent on her art project. And BOY, who had joined GIRL at the table, sitting with her just because he wanted to keep her company.
As my eyes drifted past our lit Christmas tree to the cloudy day outside, I saw a teenage boy walk past, shoulders hunched from the unexpected bitter wind digging through his shirt. He wore no coat. And I took a long breath and thought about all the people out in the cold today and everyday. All of those people who don't have Christmas lights let alone food and shelter. So many...so very many.
I said a silent prayer of gratitude. Then I walked over to GIRL & BOY and kissed their sweet heads. I needed to touch them. To feel their warm cheeks, safe in a house they can call home. GIRL so intent on her art project. And BOY, who had joined GIRL at the table, sitting with her just because he wanted to keep her company.
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Heartfelt sentiments. I hear you. I mentored "at-risk" teens for several years and loved having the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with them (via a little potluck thrown together by a bunch of adult mentors). It wasn't much, but for many of those kids it was the best Thanksgiving meal they were going to get.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful picture.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! It is so hard sometimes to look around and be thankful for what we have, instead of wanting more. Especially at this time of year. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great post J.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Amen, sister. I plan to do a lot of huggin' and a squeezin' today.
ReplyDeleteSuch sweetness.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's wonderful to take a moment to appreciate your daily blessings. I'm glad you had such a peaceful day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post, J! I too am so grateful - thanks for the wonderful reminder!
ReplyDeleteTake care - Kellan
I love your sentiment, but the mom of teenage boys needs to point something out--there may will be a mom at home that tried to harangue that boy into taking a jacket, but he knew better!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who lives in a warm climate, I get used to the mild temps. We recently had a cold snap and I had the same thoughts and fears as you ... all of those caught without warm clothes, heaters, proper shelter. Austin recently lost one of its more eccentric residents due to the cold.
ReplyDeleteLots to be thankful for, yes.
awwww, oh man my heart
ReplyDeleteAwwww.... this post warms my heart... nice!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much sadness & need in many of my students, I feel exactly the same way - needing to touch my own children - everyday when I come home from school.
The birdhouse does indeed rock, btw. :)
I know. Yes.
ReplyDeleteKiss their heads for me too. I'll kiss the heads of mine.
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed blessed, aren't we?
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