Strewn toys and scattered papers (that I failed to place out of his 19 -month-old hand's reach) surround me. For this moment, I choose to stop the "busy"ness of reacting to the dictates of the clutter and the deadlines and the messes. This time I don't run to the next thing. I don't sigh at the overwhelming demands. I breathe as I take this moment in. I just breathe. Now mentally present where I've been physically standing, I look down...
He's playing here near my feet. He's brought his color book and crayons to play near me. To be near me... I bend down and pick up this whirlwind love bug. There's scribbles on his little man arm. He's decorated himself in tangerine orange crayola. I find myself smiling and a peace washes over us both. His blankey is in tow. I pull it up onto my shoulder and immediately almost magnetically his cheek nestles right into it. This room of crazy and hectic, just moments ago, has now transformed into a quiet and still preciousness.
Take this in, Teri, I remind myself. This gift, this moment, is but a moment. I know this far too well. My four, now grown babies are walking reminders of how fast the time of babe-in-arms passes. So, what have I learned in the whisk of all the years passed by? My baby's baby now rests on my shoulder.
Those dew drop eyes that make me say yes to cookies look intently into mine. What are you thinking of, little one? I wonder. Do you know how very much your Nana loves you? I pull him close and kiss his head, praying a thankful prayer for this precious gift of a grandson in my life. Breathing in the smell of his tousled hair, I'm certain there's not a sweeter scent on this planet.
Lingering here, taking it all in, I'm so grateful I chose to stop for this moment. This moment hidden amongst the busy. This moment... not on the to-do list. This breath-in-time doesn't demand for itself. To think I almost missed it.
The whisper in the chaos invited, "Find the gem." Thankfully, I've stopped long enough to discover, yes, preciously tucked in this moment is hidden the one good thing.
