I have rushed my entire life. Feeling just on the wrong side of getting-ahead. I used to think it was having four little ones so close together, first the homeschooling and later their outside activities that put me in perpetual rush-mode. But now those four little ones have grown up and left the nest and five days out of seven I still feel tightness in my chest before 10:00 in the morning. Panic rises and with it a wave of I’m behind…I should have gotten more done by now!
I see now, the “rush”wasn’t caused by my circumstances, the “rush” is in me. There are only two sure-things that quiet that demanding task-master and bring the blur that is my life into sharp focus. Their name’s are Ellie and Lucy, my granddaughters.
I was having my weekly Wednesday with 22 month old Ellie the other day, a time for just she and I. We were in the floor playing, as we usually are when we’re together. It was the kitchen floor. No rug just the cold hard vinyl strewn with pots and pans and wooden spoons. There was lots of noise, because as Ellie’s dad says: “Gigi and Elliot relate to each other in a very loud way…” Banging of spoons on pans, shrieks of delight when she fed me the soup she’d “made”…“Ellie I CAN’T BELIEVE how GOOD this is! Let’s make some cookies!”
While I was pulling over a cookie sheet for our pretend cookies, Ellie came up from behind and laid her head on my shoulder. Reaching her little arms around me she patted my arm…“we’re friends Gigi, we’re friends”
You’ve heard it said that “time stood still”, well, on this day it did. Time completely stopped and quiet like a warm quilt blanketed the room. There was no movement at all except Ellie’s tiny hand still patting my arm. From a very deep place in me, a sob escaped.
I believe at that moment, that sacred moment, I was completely present and overwhelmed with love. Love for my tiny girl and love for my Creator, the giver of moments. And for a short time every fiber of my being worshiped God.
The moment will stay with me. I’ve told the story as grandmothers often do, but mostly I keep it hidden away, deep in my heart . I take it out now and then and run my minds eye over it’s smooth surface. There is something bigger here for me. Something powerful. A sacred moment. A treasure. A gift.
*****
Life is full of these moments, I miss so many because of that task-master always rushing me onto the next thing.
Lord help me today…to slow my pace. To see the sacred in my moments …
*****
This happened a few weeks ago. Now, I’m reading Ann Voskamp’s new book, One Thousand Gifts and she’s helping me see the: “something bigger” that God may have been trying to show me…I highly recommend this book my friends…
xo
In a bit less than three weeks, I look forward to discovering the grandmother joy. 🙂 But I’ve never been rushed. I don’t own a “get ahead” bone in my body. You make me feel lucky for that.
Peace
I got teary reading this, Robin! I imagine a sob would have escaped me as well. You may know that I am a first time grandmother; my granddaughter is 6 months old and I enjoy every moment with her! I tell everyone that I think God gives us a second chance as grandparents with the opportunity to relive those childhood days at a slower pace and really enjoy it.
So precious, Robin. One of my favorite quotes is this…
“We don’t remember days; we remember moments”. You will always remember that special moment.
Hugs! Eileen
Thanks for sharing a wonderful moment. As George Strait sings, “Life’s not the breaths you take–it’s the moments that take your breath away…” This is a wonderful example of those very warm words.
What a beautiful post…it brought tears to my eyes too. As a stay home mommy, sometimes the days get long…so I’ve been enjoying my little “junky” business adventures. But lately I’ve been sensing that God wants me to slow down and let go of some of the outside distractions…take time to really enjoy my home and my kids…time goes too fast. So this post was confirmation for me…I can just feel that little hand on my own shoulder or the little fingers running through my hair as my 3 year “fixes” it for me. Those moments are meant to be savored and not endured…truly sacred. Thanks for the reminder…blessings to you! Laurel
Hi! I accidentally clicked on a button in Teresa’s sidebar {from Blooming on Bainbridge} and all of a sudden I was at your blog…
no coincidence!
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting here… your painted furniture, Valentine mailbox {wish I had a hobby lobby here- there’s one near my daughter’s -it’s a definite next time I go there}
and… I loved this post. I am also reading Ann’s book. I’ve followed her writings for almost two years. What a gift and how grateful I am that she share it with all of us!
God bless you today and always,
Maria
This is so cool ~ I don’t care what the P C Wordsmiths say,
this is SO COOL!! Thank you for sharing your “sacred moment”.
So cool ~
No question my grandson has given me “those moments.” When he waltzes back into my ManCave and says, “Grandpa, can we watch CARS?” Like, what am I going to say to that? “No kid! Can’t you see I’m reading?” He has given me some amazing moments to remember. You are right Robin…time does stand still. I look forward to seeing him this weekend when he surprises his mamaw on her 60th birthday. Shhhh she doesn’t know! 🙂
Ahhhh, Robin, how very sweet! How lovingly God gifts us with these moments that we will forever treasure in our hearts. Sacred moments, I like it put that way. I can just feel that sob, and how that moment stole your breath. Heavenly!
You say what needs to be said, and you say it so well.
I’m embarking on a homeschooling journey, too. Good to know you’ve been there and you’ve turned out lovely children.
Have a great day!
Robin, this is award winning stuff. The way you put your special heart moments on paper makes everyone reading it feel it just the way you did. I’m telling you, it is award winning.
One day you need to compile all your little “from the heart” stories together and have them published. You have a gift. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, “the rush is in me” hit me as I have that little demon also hoping to rob me of God’s joy and moments. What a gift you have and I second Velvet’s vote on this be award winning stuff. I know you have laid up some treasures in heaven for all of us as you have sweet Ellie. Thanks for sharing your heart and God’s heart. I think I may just pull out some pots and pans and play along with God today and be reminded that He is my friend. Ellie is blessed to have you as her Gigi!!
Robin, this is such a lovely and inspiring post. As a mom of 3 young sweeties, I often feel that very same tightness in my chest before 10am, and I have to stop sometimes and remind myself that these precious moments are fleeting. I remember how my boss’s wife (and empty nester like you) told me in all her wisdom when my first child was born that her only piece of advice was to “Be in the moment” as this was her biggest regret. Have you read “The Gift of an Ordinary Day” by Katrina Kenison? I was very inspired by the little book reading she has on her blog and on YouTube. You might like it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0. Have a lovely day full of wonderful moments!
Oh how sweet and what a moment to treasure forever. Just this morning I was thinking why is there always so much to do. Does it even matter in the big scheme of things? The answer is no. I am so bad at getting all my stuff done before the kids get home to give them the attention they need. I don’t seem to savor those moments. Thanks for the reminder!
Megan
One of my favorite of all your posts. I can so relate. Mother says there’s a spirit of rush. I guess I have it.
What beautiful words… “We’re friends, Gigi.” Your blog is such a joy/gift for your grandchildren (and all the rest of us). You’re capturing what matters most.
Stellar post of empty nest, and the new nest, the nest of “grands”. Your granddaughter is wonderful, already she is compassionate and loving, she is a nurturer. How blessed you both are.
God is good.
Stellar post of empty nest, and the new nest, the nest of “grands”. Your granddaughter is wonderful, already she is compassionate and loving, she is a nurturer. How blessed you both are.
God is good.
Beautiful post! Those are the moments that make everything else seem to melt away. I love it when my son comes up to me, no matter how naughty he is being, gives me a giant hug and says in his most sincere voice “mommy…I love you”
I am so happy that you had a chance to spend such a wonderful day with granddaughter!
Oh Robin, I have no ‘kids’ or ‘grandkids’ of my own, but ohhh there are still sacred moments to embrace and not rush through. I think of the many nights of insomnia that I lay in bed, literally paralyzed, unable to reach for the book or get up and busy myself – how I’ve learned to embrace them as gifts of intimacy with Him and his love. You express yourself so beautifully and help me to reach for more – even though it never has to do with painting or crafts! Love you lady.
Beautiful! Please keep sharing your sacred moments with us.
Hugs,
Jean
What a beautiful moment. I couldn’t help but think that is how God must feel when we do the same to him. We don’t understand how very much we move him and how much He loves us.
Debbie
This is what keeps me coming back to your blog. Don’t get me wrong, I love all your projects and recipes, but your words, your stories and your heart compels me to come back.
my first thought when i read how you feel rushed and that you don’t get enough done each day was, “how someone who gets up at 3:45 in the morning can feel like she hasn’t done enough by 10am?”, but the more i read, the more i understood. the same task-master that lives inside of you lives inside me too, and it robs me of being in the moment. i hope i can quiet myself in incremental ways that stick in this year so that i can be fully present wherever i am.
I am afraid I may never get one of those moments. But I can imagine that a sob would have escaped me too. I would LOVE to ahve a grandchild but it may now happen for us. I have alot of love I could give a little one. I am so happy for you my friend!!!!! XO, Pinky PS, have you seen that commercial with the grandparents and grandchildren? One of them says her Grandma is her BEST FRIEND. I will always think of you now when I see that commercial…………..
So cool ~
Be still my heart! I have few words for such a perfect and divine moment. So pleased you didn’t let the moment slip by.
XOXO
What a beautiful and fun blog! And I identified with your thoughts on wanting to not rush, but wanting to enjoy the moments. I often find myself still rushing, as well … even though I am now in empty nest years. And yes, the grandchildren do have a way of slowing us down, and helping us treasure the moments ~ thanks for sharing your thoughts!
As I read your description of Ellie laying her head on your shoulder, I could almost feel the love you were enjoying. These truly are Sacred Moments, to be carefully tucked away in our heart. Grandchildren are such a blessing. Everything is new and beautiful and exciting, like rainbows, clouds, butterflies and wooden spoons drumming on the bottom of pots and pans. Sacred moments when you can feel God through the touch of a tiny little girl. . Thank you for sharing this post .
Love you,
Sparkle plenty
So beautifully said. Your ‘moments in time’ are for me when ‘my heart takes a picture.’
I tear up every time I recall those times. I’m tearing up just thinking about it.
This weekend my husband wants to take a drive down the California Coast. I kept thinking of excuses why I can’t go…taxes to get ready, laundry to get caught up on, tending to my Winter neglected yard and of course our 2 boys ( who are both capable of taking care of themselves for one night). I am going to go, enjoy the conversation, the scenery and the quiet gaps. Besides my two sons, I’m not going to worry about the ‘stuff’ at home. Stuff is just stuff, and I will get to it when I get back. This weekend I will just try to enjoy the moment. Thanks Robin- you are something special!
Robin – Your words are so beautiful and have deeply touched my heart. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
oh Robin… I’m new to this site; Julie Garmon suggested I come here. And I’m so glad I did. These sacred moments…. I’ve experienced them this week, in the mountains. What a beautiful post. You have a gift. Bless you. e.
Robin,
I have the ability to relax; as a matter of fact I sometimes tell people that I have relaxation down to a fine art form. But a wise friend of mine once told me “you’re like a duck,,,, on the surface you seem calm and serene, but underneath the water your feet are churning away like crazy”. We all have our stresses and stressors and react in different ways. I have been having employment problems off and on for the past 4 years and haven’t had medical insurance or paid days off when I have worked (temp positions) and it causes me a lot of stress. But I have Princess Amelia, who calls me her best friend; my 4 year old granddaughter! Sometimes I feel she saves me from myself. I have her over for sleepovers and lots of little outings and after her baths I give her pedicures. So when you mentioned little Ellie and her sweetest of sweet gestures I knew exactly how you felt,,, and I took that breath with you. God bless our grandbabies, or any child in our life that helps us to slow down and take a look at life with fresh eyes.
Breathe deep and be present in the present for it’s all we have,,,,, Bless you!
great post we need to capture and treasure the times. my grandchild is in another state but we talk each week when i see her i don’t want to leave saviour the moments. rose