Everyone else in my house has yet to stir.
Heads are still resting on pillows and the sun won't make it's way through our windows for a while still.
I'm up, however.
I'm up...because I know that if I will have any quiet, still, unrushed moments - I have to steal them.
And I have to steal them early.
But I like it here in the initial dark hours when the day's pot has yet to be stirred.
To be the one who finds herself vertical first - to be the one to grab hold of the spoon and whirl today's contents and set it to simmer before anyone else....it boosts me.
So this pristine moment is good.
But please know....
Many times I have walked past my laptop the last few weeks...
Rushing to grab an extra diaper for the diaper bag....
Carrying a child who is learning to 'potty'...
Hoisting folded laundry to closets and drawers...
Pushing a vacuum over crumbs and litter...
Shuffling myself to my side of the bed....
Life speeds past this contraption here. Lots of life. Great life!
But as I dart around my computer handling my people and my things and my duties - I glance at the screen of this thing, and feel a strong tinge and twinge to rest and wonder and write with you in this place.
Know that.
Someone recently suggested that I just grab fifteen minutes here, and ten minutes there - to punch out my passions here. But my brain doesn't do that exactly. And my heart doesn't want to. It....wants to be seated, settled, and perched for more than a few moments - to let the words unfold. That's what feels good.
So this morning, scripting won over sleeping.
And I'm glad.
Just typing all of the above - I already feel more myself.
It's a Monday. And as mentioned - the day hasn't exactly dawned yet. And in the wee hours here - I'm thinking about the people all over the place....the New Yorkers getting ready to step down into subways, the westerners who are still in deep night, the Londoners who are already setting out to lunch. And it makes me want to join each one in each place - in each city's day pregnant with possibilities.
But I'm happy here in my suburban rent house looking out onto my dining table, while also looking out onto my next 16 hours.
As I look...
My table has a blue sippy cup of water resting on it - leftover from yesterday. It has an empty glass cup left there by a certain husband. It has my black button-up sweater draped across the middle - left there by a certain yours truly. The corner of the table has my school plans for the week, a notebook I scribble things in all day, and a group of pens and pencils ready to pour. The other corner has a tiny matchbox car resting on it - waiting for little hands to grasp and zoom.
My day has a full load of learning to carry out. We will look further at the planets today, and study spelling words, and review grammar rules (just as much for Mommy here, as for anyone else!) tackle a few math lessons - amongst a gaggle of other things. It also holds wrapping up a few Christmas to-do's, washing and drying at least one load of laundry, playing a new game a dear friend gifted to us just last night, and finding a few moments to pray and petition and dream with God between it all.
As I gird myself up just now....as the children reach the tail end of their slumber and the sun is threatening to peep...
I ask the Creator of all things good, to simply grant us His peace and persistence and patience and yes, His presence today.
Reveal Yourself to us all this week, Lord. And let us see and discern You as we head toward the holiday.
Ah.
I feel so much better having unloaded here... after all that long wait.
See you soon. Yes, I need it to be forthwith. (Isn't that a fun word? So Jane Austen-ish.) :)
If I wait that long again - I'll either wither or burst!
Big, huge, festive, heart-felt hugs to you all.
