A forceful reminder

Lately it seems I've had my fair share of "those" days. The ones where nothing goes as planned, everyone needs something at the same time and I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. My temper has been quick, my reaction times slow and my patience... well, we reached the raggedy edge of my patience several days ago.

Between writing lessons, actually doing the schoolwork, housework, mowing, running errands, cooking and The Project, I barely have the time and energy to breathe some days, let alone to relax. Even Mr. Wonderful has commented that I'm obviously a little worn down.

Over the last several days I've gotten less sleep than I normally would and that, of course, has led to more crankiness and overwhelmed feelings. And because I didn't have enough to do already, three of the kids got sick. Not overly so and nothing serious, just runny noses and sore throats (from allergies).

I was working on The Project yesterday when Pookie fell asleep on the couch. After half an hour or so, he fell off the couch and just sat on the floor, crying. I scooped him up and held him on my lap until he was calm. He was running a fever, so I gave him some Tylenol and then we snuggled up on the couch.

At first I was unhappy at the interruption of my day. I had things to be done; I didn't have time to just lay on the couch. I was stewing about it, worried about how I was going to make up the time later, exhausted and nearly in tears at the thought of being up even later than usual when he leaned over and kissed my cheek.

"I love you. You're my favorite."

My heart melted. In that moment, time seemed to stop. Suddenly I wasn't worried anymore, I wasn't stressed out or exhausted. I felt blessed to have this opportunity to slow down, to remember why I chose this life. For one blissful hour I did nothing more than hold my baby and breathe.

And when it was time to get back to work, I did so with a much lighter heart.