Reminders

I stumbled upon a quote the other day and loved it.
"The world is so empty if one thinks of only mountains, rivers and cities, but to know someone here and there who thinks and feels with us, and though distant is close to us in spirit-this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden." Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Pretty much can sum up the way I feel most days. But then God hears my thoughts and sends a sweet reminder that no matter how fleeting emotions are I am still loved. Last week I went on a run with Annabeth at nap time. I am more than grateful for her taking an interest in this with me. Running is much easier in a pair, and my focus of helping her push farther makes my run smoother still. As of lately she is becoming a great buddy when we are alone together. Decked out with accessories, cash a splash of makeup and free time I could spend many a day in her company. I relish these moments because all too soon I will take a backseat to her friends and she will need me to be the mom not the friend. It does give me a light at the end of the tunnel for days far in the future.
Back to my point... I had 7 kids at the house and G-ma home next door so after I fed everyone lunch, and cleaned up we headed out. Upon entering the house, red faced and sweaty I see the back of the sweetest little man at my kitchen counter. #3 is working on something and hurriedly runs to me butter knife in hand.
"I made you a sandwich Momma." he says. I love when he calls me momma. It is the closest thing to an endearing nickname and only he says it that way. He leads me to the kitchen where he in fact has made a jelly sandwich. He tells me it is only jelly because (empty PB bottle on the counter) there was no more PB. He couldn't get more from the storage room because it was locked but he did try. Why I am certain he did do just that. He has a napkin there by the plate and even cut it in half. My heart melts and I say a ecstatic thank you and hug. He then retorts, "I knew you would be hungry when you were done because you didn't get to eat any lunch." Intuitive, observant and loving this little man. He will be a husband to cherish someday.
I take my jelly sandwich to my room with me, because although I don't want to eat it I want him to feel like he was the king I believe he is. Before I shut the door preparing for a refreshing shower he hands me a water bottle with a smile then skips off to join the electronic world of siblings and cousins. I am not sure my heart could feel any fuller than right then.
It is in those simple tasks that I know I am loved. In my shower I try to make that my hiding place with God, pending a little redhead isn't joining me. That day nothing but thanks were spoken. These are the things that make the yuck of parenting doable, the endless demands, the piles and piles of laundry, the hand prints on EVERYTHING, the hiding anything of value from even myself because the sheer number of hands breaks or distorts. Yes, this is the reason I get up each day. I am so glad I have both sons and daughters. I get the privileged of knowing 4 different kind of love. How much more I get my husband and his parents. How absolutely blessed I am!