Some Holiday Perspective

Yesterday, I was traipsing through my house, stumbling over items strewn across the floors, thinking to myself, "This house doesn't even look like there's a mother around." And then, in an instant, like a flashback, I remembered the whole morning of playing with my sweet little girl--from snuggling on the couch with a good book, to beauty salon, to friendship bracelet-ing. I literally had to speak to myself and say, "Wait a second. There has been a mother around the house--and she's been spending precious time with her sweet little girl."

Sometimes I need a little perspective--it's easy in this busy time of year to be overwhelmed by all that I haven't accomplished, all the dust underneath the garland on the piano, the crumbs and wrappers of eaten candy left around, the piles of not-yet-put-away Christmas presents, and so on and so forth. But then I have to take a moment to remind myself of the higher priorities; that sometimes a less than perfect house is an indication of a mom who chose to make a lasting memory instead of a fleeting shiny floor (and yes, sometimes a messy house reveals my laziness...).

All this to say, I'm trying these days to make a conscious effort to choose the lasting memory instead of the feel-good productivity. Sometimes checking off my to-do list is just not as important as the moments that can't be as easily recorded, but that leave a greater mark on my family.

(and sometimes I wash dishes too.)