November 29, 2012

• {let’s do this part slow}

  
  

  we had just dropped the older two off somewhere and i had errands to run.
  it seemed everyone else did too.
  i tried to hurry. but traffic moved slow.
  and even sitting at a dead stop, i could feel the racing within.

  i pulled into the parking lot of wal-mart and after a few loops around settled on the closest spot i could find..
  clear out on the very end!
  i buttoned up my coat and asked emma to put reese’s hat on.
  telling myself i needed the exercise of the hike across the parking lot.
  which as soon as i opened my van door to the first gust of cold wintry wind,
  my new found fitness resolve seemed to blow away as fast!
  i looked down double checking i really had done up my coat. it sure didn’t feel it.

  with a little girl’s hand in each of mine we walked quickly.
  finally scooping to hold baby and telling emma to hurry up.
  herding our way through the doors with the dozens of others we grabbed a rickety shopping cart..
  and like bumper cars we were off. everyone going every which way, trying not to crash into the person in front of you.

  every few minutes emma would remind me she was hungry…
  with a echo of, “me hungry too,” from her little sister.
  and i would answer what i had for the last two hours as we had rushed about,
  “just a few more minutes guys. promise. then mommy will get you something to eat… “

  in the check out lane i rolled through my mental list of what else needed to be done that day..
  and i wondered why it was whenever you were in a hurry you always got behind the mother of all extreme couponer’s?
  seriously. those people need their own special lanes!

  finally paying, and then thinking i should be joining the extreme couponer’s of the world, instead of criticizing them..
  you should have seen what that lady saved!
  emma tugged on my arm. “can we eat there?” pointing to the mcdonalds in the store.
  i sighed. and felt the guilt that if i were a better mom i would have packed a healthy snack..
  atleast, a wee bit healthier than mcdonald’s.
  with an extra, “pleeeeese?” i ignored the guilt and said yes.

  “but we’ll have to grab it real quick and eat it on the way.”

  i guess the guy didn’t hear me say, to go!
  and when i saw our food on a tray instead of a bag i decided we could probably have it already eaten,
  by the time it would take me to call back over the clueless college kid and get him to switch it. 

  we found a spot and i settled the girls in the chairs opposite me.
  “mom,” emma said as i split the fries between her and reese and shoved a few in my mouth..

  “what, baby?”

  “can we just do this part slow?”  

  i stopped chewing and instantly felt her words sting my heart.
  i swallowed hard and reached and took a drink. then nodded.

  “okay. let’s do this part slow.”

  so i unbuttoned my coat and sat back a little further in my chair.
  and while little feet dangled under the table and smiles flashed between bites and the crowds bustled round us
  i was reminded of a good thing..
  to slow. to calm. to take the time to savor. to enjoy.

  sometimes i have to hurry because there are time crunches and packed schedules and responsibilities to keep.
  but alot of the time i’m hurrying for no good reason at all…
  only that this one thing has to get done so i can get on to the next!!!
  and of course.. there’s forever one.more.thing.to.do.
  but if we live always for the next thing, we miss the thing right in front of us.

  like a sweet memory of just me and my little girlies.
  in the wal-mart mcdonalds of all places!

  so as this month winds to a close and the busiest one of all is about to start..
  here’s to purposing not to be in such a hurry. especially when i don’t have to be.
  and when i do. leave earlier. and maybe don’t cram so much in.
  and when i can. choosing to sit back. unbutton my coat. stay awhile.

  and chew those french fries just a little bit slower!  

  

  
  
  ****

  kate’s winter shoot in my wedding dress~

     
  
  

  
  
  

  a visitor on my front porch this morning~

  

  
  
  

  happy start to the most wonderful time of the year!!
  
  

  
  “the best thing to spend on your children is your time. ”

  
  amber.

  • 2:21 pm
  • 37 Comments