Dr. Sunset

There are times when I refer to this space as “Sacred”.  Not in the get-down-on-your-knees-bow-your-head-and-say-a-prayer kind of sacred.  Rather, it is sacred in the sense that this space is set apart for a particular purpose. I respect this space.  I value it.  For me, this space is sacred because it holds our story.  Our memories.  It holds what will be our history. 

There are evenings, like tonight, when I look at my kitchen floor marked with tiny footprints from little ladies who traipsed through the dirt in bare feet all afternoon and I think my time would be better spent cleaning the floor “just in case” we have a showing.  However, there is this other part of me that doesn’t want the memories to get away from me.  I want to record them.  I’m not sure why but somehow, pounding away at the keys seems to pound the memories more deeply into my heart.  

The reality of the speed of these years has been hitting me a lot lately.  Keeping up with weekly schedules and daily to-do’s has, at times, left me in complete survival mode.  Getthroughtheday, getthroughtheday, getthroughtheday has become my unconscious motto and by the end of the day I’m  asking myself–what happened today?
However, there was a night last week when I realized–tiny efforts can make a BIG impact.

Last Thursday I was feeling that “I’m in survival mode” feeling.  The dinner dishes were cleared, bedtime was nearing, homework was completed, and I was counting the hours to Friday.  I glanced out the window and noticed a large orange ball directly through the trees in our backyard.  With my most pathetic look I made my request to Chad.  Can we all just go to watch the sunset?  Please?
My ever patient and understanding husband obliged and we loaded up the car and drove a couple miles to the perfect spot. 

As if someone flipped a switch, my spirit went from empty to overflowing in a moment.  The light was breath-taking and watching my little ones do what little ones do was exactly what I needed.

Before we left the house Chanelle had asked, can I take my cape? We had found a simple white cape while shopping the previous day and she fell in love with it.  I have since decided that this cape is the best 10 bucks I’ve ever spent.

As I watched Chanelle run off into the distance with her cape soaring behind her I was struck with the gift of this moment.  I listened as she wondered aloud, if the wind blows hard enough will I fly?  In that moment I saw her youth.  I saw possibility.  I saw what was really important.

Sometimes, that’s all I need.  A few moments to step away.  A few moments to breathe deep and remind myself that when all is said and done and my life nears its end–these will be the most important moments of my life. 

Sometimes, it’s so hard to get a clear view when I’m in the thick of it.  For some reason, I struggle to  see the gifts that are right in front of me.  However, a step back makes everything perfectly clear. 

 I have a feeling that we will be visiting Dr. Sunset often.  Somehow, she puts everything into perspective.

“Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under!”
-C. JoyBell C

I better get to bed–I have a date with a dirty kitchen floor in the morning.  It was worth it.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!