There are two things my kids do in life that please me immensely:
The first they do often and frequently and the second
very seldomly.
Eating and Reading.
I have never had any regrets of not being a stay at home Mom..ever.
Today however watching my kids make their snacks after a day of skiing around a
big kitchen counter at the cottage, I started to realize the pleasure I have likely
missed at 3pm daily! Yogurt, followed by crackers and cheese, followed by two
toasts with our homemade “creton”. Topped off by a may west and a big glass of
milk. No wonder at suppertime they eat like birds-now I get it.
I loved seeing the preparation of the food, eating the
food, their pleasure and their conversations. I love seeing my kids eat good
food and enjoy it. Would have been amazing experience if I could have seen them
clean up the mess too..but I was not that lucky and had to call them back for
that last step.
And reading by the fire…..I honestly don’t think anything
satisfies me as much as my three kids and I reading for pleasure at the fire.
It is soooooo rare and that hurts. Now after skiing I have imposed a no tv rule
until 5pm. So that equals more ski jumps outside or totally as a total treat
for me, reading with me all cuddled up under the blankets. Minus Hubby who is
outside shovelling and blowing snow. A true but healthy obsession!
And reading is my life so to share this with my kids is
heaven. I feel about reading the way I guess some people feel about cooking or gardening.
I am so attached to it and in love with it, I just don’t get the notion that
most people just don’t find the time for it in their lives on a regular basis.
I would stay up until 2am if it means reading my favorite book! Or leave my
house messy for guests! I read every minute I can manage. On skilifts, in ski
cabins, in beds, in Jacuzzis, at doctor’s offices, on buses, in hotels.
Anywhere and everywhere. Always. I never allow myself to read at work as that would
be a huge distraction so it has to be off limits! And I never allow myself to
read on a Kindle or I pad as that is way too modern for me. Nothing comes close
to the feel of a good old fashioned book in my hands.
Today was amazing to see my kids read, They read many
many books but they are always for school and that is just not the same.
Outside of holidays and summer, there seems to be no time for skiing and
reading..it is one or the other and skiing always wins.
So today made me happy. And it was a bit of a sad day on
some levels as the whole gang for my beloved Uncle and Aunt’ss 25th
vow renewal left today for Jamaica. Of course we were invited and we debated to
go or not go for many months. Our final decision was no because of many factors
but it still made me sad a bit.
However when I saw the snacking and reading going on at
my cottage and the pleasure I and the kids derived from it…I realized from the
purest part of my heart that this is exactly where I want to be and should be
at the moment. As tempting as Jamaica would have been and as wonderful as
witnessing the ceremony would be for all of us….what we need to do a s family during
the little down time we have it stay put. And ski. And snack and read. We need
to bring as much simplicity to our lives in these turbulent times as we can and
it starts right here at this cottage.
Choices. Often hard. Plently necessary.
The book I just finished and devoured “Mitten Strings for
God” had my name written all over it today.
Simplicity. Nuturing. Sabbath. Choices. Taking Care of
our souls. Understanding what they need and feeding them exactly that.
