Sweet Tenderness

Today was one of those go go go days. Right in the middle of the day, my friend called and cried to me on the phone about a bunch of things that have been adding up in her life. I really wished I could have bought flowers for her to brighten her day. But alas, there is no money for that. So instead, I decided I'd make her flowers. Chelsee was at my house, so I enlisted her help and we went downstairs to try and find my stash of paper and embellishments. We started cutting and threading and gluing. It wasn't more than about two seconds before the kids followed us down. I didn't have a lot of time to get this done, so when the kids started asking if they could help, I was quick to say "No, No, No." I didn't want to make a big mess to have to clean up when I didn't have time for that. They kept asking and I kept telling them no. Chelsee had cut a flower and then decided she didn't like it, so Brailee quickly grabbed it and started embellishing it. She had added a ton of buttons, so I told her she couldn't have so many. I made her take them off. I was in a hurry, so I really didn't have a lot of patience. I did tell her how nice it was, but only in quick passing. Later that night, when I got all of the kids in bed, it was finally time for a little "me time". So I opened the door to my bedroom to head to the shower, and as I took about four steps in, I found the flower that Brailee had made laying on my pillow. She had, without saying anything about it, or making it a big deal, quietly taken it up to my room when I didn't know. How sweet, and my heart melted. I stood there, softened. I had ran and rushed all day, and yet, Brailee still loved me. She had taught me that in everything that had happened that day, where my happiness truly lies. Not in running, not in trying to please others, not in having a clean house, not even in trying to serve others, but in my own sweet family. Happiness is in the simple quiet. Definitely not in the crazy rushing. I love my children more than anything in the entire world. I find my greatest joy in being a mother. Thank you Brailee for reminding me of that. Thank you for teaching me and for loving me despite all my imperfections.