Slice of Life: The Little Things I Hold Dear

Today I heard Patricia Polacco speak.  Her speech moved my heart.  Her family shared stories with their children and grandchildren.  They wanted them to remember who had sacrificed for them to come to America and learn.

Thanking a speaker, Debbie Taylor, our comments spiraled into enjoying our children.  Our conversation is the inspiration for this Slice of Life.  After hearing Patricia, my mind was spurred into thinking about the little things that are dear to me.  (And although they may embarrass my children, I must share how the little things swell my heart with love).

• my sixteen year old son still gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek each morning before he goes to school; he knows I love it
• my thirteen year old daughter waits for me to tuck her in at night; we talk briefly, hug, and get a kiss
• my eleven year old son strokes my face once with his hand after tucking him in for bed
• my sixteen year old son will run errands to the store for me; I know he likes the privilege of driving, but getting laundry soap is not the most fun thing
• my thirteen year old daughter tells me about her day after school; she knows I want to know what’s happening in her education
• what’s more important, she talks to me about her friends; she told me that she appreciates talking with me as many of her friends do not talk to their mothers
• my eleven year old son takes the dirty clothes from the upstairs to the basement, even though he doesn’t like it
• he also takes the garbage cans to the road for his dad, just so dad won’t have to do it
• my sixteen year old son gives me a play by play of the wrestling match or the baseball game; although some details could be ‘sped up’, I love hearing him share with me
• my daughter likes to ride with me on errands, just so that I won’t have to be alone
• she also asks me to stop working and to play a game; and if we watch a movie, she asks that I don’t fold laundry or do other things – just sit next to her and enjoy our time
• our youngest rides to work with me each day; it’s his last year in elementary.  Next year, none of my children will ride to work with me.
• our youngest will also fill up two water bottles each morning at work
• our sixteen year old asks to get online; he doesn’t like it that he has to ask, but respects our wishes
• he also loves his dad; he’ll even ask if Rick will be okay if goes with his friends at the football game
• my daughter asks to go the library and looks for picture books that I might like to use in class or blog about
• our youngest prays for his grandfather (who lives with us) that he won’t be lonely when we are at school
• our oldest carries in the groceries
• my daughter asks grandpa about stories at meal time
• our youngest helps clear the table

My list will go on as I begin to remember the special “little things” in life.

Each moment counts!