Yesterday, a huge snowstorm blew into town, just minutes before I was supposed to leave work to prepare for Tyler and Beth’s arrival. I had such grand plans… to head home and finish up a little bit of laundry, then to pick up Lauren at school and make our way to the airport. However, when I left the hospital and found myself going 20 mph on the freeway, my plans changed. I realized it would take me too long to get home and decided to just head directly to Lauren’s school. The drive from the hospital to her school takes about 20 minutes in normal weather. Yesterday, it took me nearly 2 hours, and I made it there just as they were releasing the kids. We left for the airport and arrived there another hour and a half later (a drive that would have taken 30 minutes in normal weather). Luckily, Tyler and Beth’s flight had been delayed, so we ended up getting there just as they landed. It took us another hour and a half to get home, by which point we were all hungry and tired and a little grumpy to boot. The biggest thing on our agenda last night was getting home safely and getting to bed. Gratitude was not high on my list.
This morning, however, was a different story. We woke up in a warm bed in a warm house with both our girls safely under roof. The world outside was muted by a thick blanket of snow. We made oatmeal banana bread pancakes for breakfast, and the girls spent the morning wrapping any stray item they could find and putting them under the tree as their “gifts”.
As we sat down to lunch today, it occurred to me that I am right where I want to be. I am here in my cozy house that smells of peppermint and pine. The gifts are starting to pile up under the glowing Christmas tree, reminding me that I do have much to be thankful for this year. The three people I love most in this world are here with me, and the sound of girlish laughter is filling my home.
In a few days, the world will come knocking again. There will be bills to pay and not enough money to pay them. There will be responsibilities and expectations and disappointments. In a few days, my headaches will return and the stress-induced twitch in my left eye will resume its relentless rhythm. But today I am calm. I am at peace and I am still.
We are all right where we’re supposed to be, and for that, I am exceptionally grateful.
< ![CDATA[That is so awesome!]]>