Papers scattered, computer on my lap, soft couch cushion underneath, I look at the little faux fire blazing and type away, lost in a sea of cyber-words. Four year old Bella's large blue-orbed eyes find mine, grounding me, and she asks, "Mama, will you come play ballerina with me?" My legs crossed indian-style, a smile playing on my lips at her angel cuteness, I tell her yes, in just a minute.
When I finish writing to a friend, I walk into their room, toys strewn about, pine floor barely peeking through. "I'm ready to play ballerina now. What should I do?"
"You be the teacher, Mama. Yes, you have to wear a ballerina outfit like us, a teacher-ballerina outfit." Excitement lifts them up on their toes, and their voices jump decibals higher. I laugh at them, and tell them the first thing to do is to pick up all the toys so we have room to dance, and I will be back.
So feeling extremely silly, I go find tights, a slip-skirt, and black leotard-like top. Their eyes shine when they see me and when I turn and twirl into their room, clapping my hands and calling, "Okay, class, line up" in a sing-song soprano, they little-girl giggle and I see them really looking at me, in a new light. Their innocence betrays them and their fresh God-image faces reflect rapturous joy and that I must be doing something right.
I put in Handel's Messiah and I have them to plie' and do stretches on the bar and I spin and teach them a dance. They go leaping through the air. The early morning sun's rays catch them in all their beauty--just in this one moment, this moment that will never return.
I have never felt sillier nor have I ever felt more free.
I go over to the player at their request and we play "Musical Ballet". When I stop the music, they are frozen in their lifts and little girl twirls, and this is a perfectly freeze-framed moment for a mama.
Time really does seem to stop.
They hold hands, all four of them, and they go 'round and 'round in the neverending circle of sunrise's gleaming hope, it streaming across their faces. The shadows fall but I don't see the shadows--I only see their souls radiating and shining light, and it makes them so alive.
It bedazzles me and I'm enthralled because I don't know how it happened, but I am caught up in the way a dimple beams at me, the way a soft cheek captures warmth right there, the way Lorna's wavy golden locks waterfall over her small framed shoulders, glinting light glorious.
In our crazy kid-energy afforded by play, I sat on the little woven rug in front of the dollhouse and helped them shine it new, and glued down miniature furniture so tiny hands could not break it--a love-project put off for many months.
When we were finished, my daughters were so proud and I was proud too, to call myself Mama.
We tasted contentment's sweet milk and it delighted us and we drank in the nourishment at joy's swelled hope.
We danced wild, laughing, letting the morning carry us smoothly along right through freedom's doors into wide-open joy.
Gratitude:
#584 How when I ask Bella to help Lilly into her boot, she says, "I can't--I promise, because I'm just a little girl."
#585 How Bella furrows her brow at me, "Mama, Ivy slapped me on my ankle," holding up her elbow, and I absent-mindedly lift up the elbow of my sink-water drenched shirt, she says, "No, Mama, not your ankle, MY ankle!"
3 ugly-beautifuls gifts...
#586 taking care of sick children
#587 with Hubs sick, eldest daughter helps
#588 germy, dirty house now sparkling
3 gifts from the past--that help me trust the future...
#589 relationships in church body mended--stepping out on a limb trusting Him to catch me
#590 hurts in family past getting some healing
#591 my favorite book, old and tattered, given by my Grandma, being the first read-aloud the girls and i do together, taking turns
a gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned...
#592 antique table given by Granny showing wear and marks from children as I snap a picture of little hands grabbing cinnamon rolls
#593 beautiful floral designed diamond engagement ring given by Husband
#594 knit blanket washed and couch scrubbed, floors shiny for sister to come over to watch nieces while me and Husband go on day-date
3 gifts at 3 p.m...
#595 warm, soft breezy day,
#596 blanket on the porch w kids piled up & popcorn,
#597 me on the swing writing my thanks
#598 Ivy's reverent whisper of conviction as she stares out to the yard,"It's a beautiful day today."
3 gifts green...glorious signs of Spring!
#599 thick clover in the backyard
#600 shoots of life coming up in pots
#601 tiny buds on my favorite spring tree blooming
3 gifts wore...
#602 turquoise studded silver bracelet given by Granny
#603 soft, comfy scarf given by sister
#604 gorgeous shirt gifted to Husband that looks smashing on him!
3 gifts hard to give thanks for...
#605 making it on very little these past few weeks until our finances get worked out--being creative with making money stretch
#606 muddy, swampy back yard, rain making green life come up, me and girls sloshing around in rainboots and clogs
#607 nice, huge pile of tree limbs from tree that fell in yard to make a bonfire--smores makings bought, weinies, drinks, and wood too wet to burn--so we take our smores inside to the stove and happily eat up
If you would like to join the JOY DARE? click here for more info, a beautiful camera giveaway, and a gorgeous free printable from Ann...
This post shared in community with:
Ann...
L.L....
Laura...
Jen...
and Michelle...
