We awoke this morning, quite early, to the sounds of thunder rolling angrily. And close. It was so early, in fact, that most in the house went back to sleep to the sound of the drizzling rain. The house still seemed quite dark when we stirred, though the day had gotten a good start already.
A rainy day in Georgia.
In the fall.
Ahhhhh.
Grateful for a break from the downpour I took Miss Sophie out for her morning constitutional and was thankful she was moved to be a little quicker this morning. The littles had breakfast as did their big sister, still home for Fall Break. The house was eerily quiet, a mood suited by the gray and the rain outside.
I set out the day’s lessons and encouraged the crew to get started. I too began my work for the day. Sitting at my desk, my back was to them. Though they were chatting about some scenario they’d made up to play out, they were getting some work done, so I allowed myself to become immersed in what was in front of me. Soon I realized the room had become very quiet. I turned to see what they were up to. Our Princess seemed to be daydreaming, her gaze aimed out the window. I remember the days of sitting in our classrooms at the old school in town–windows all down one side of the room–and doing just that. I think some of my best thoughts came from those moments of mind wandering.
Then I noticed Cooter, across the room, no longer sitting at the table working on his math. Instead he was curled up with Goatillard the goat, who moved here to live with us after Mama left this world. My little guy seemed in a trance, staring out from the window seat at the rain as it poured down.
It took my breath away for a moment. Beautiful.
I wonder what he was thinking in those moments. If anything at all.
I looked back over at our Princess, who met my gaze with a sheepish smile on her face. She shrugged lightly. “My eyes are lost in the rain.”
Oh my. With all the rain and beautiful thoughts and staring out at creation and poetic words, how I could say that learning wasn’t happening?
I just about called school off right then and there. No textbook nor I can compete with all of that.
Poetic thoughts.
I found myself thinking about all kinds of things this morning, as I went about my day to dailies. A rainy fall day…..gray…..suited my emotions. Bottom line–I miss my parents. It seems as though each day a little more, if that is possible. When I think about where we were three years ago, with Daddy doing so poorly and us not ready to admit to what seemed to be inevitable, it becomes almost more than the heart can bear. Again.
This morning I saw this quote shared by author John Paul Schulz that stuck with me.
And it is true. While my heart and mind was steeped in sadness, suitable for a dreary day, my girl’s poetic thoughts and those of Ms. Woolf proved true.
As I let myself become lost in the rain, sitting on the couch that I can enjoy because of the goodness of friends, I found myself thinking of redemption and reparation.
Are there two things more life-giving than those?
I’m sure there might be, but for today, those thoughts and the actions I took refreshed my soul, and life came “breaking in as usual.”
When I finished, my heart was a little lighter and I breathed a little easier. I’m still a work in progress and the pressure that tomorrow will be sunny, so perhaps my disposition should be too is a little more than I’m ready to take on tonight. Perhaps after a good night’s rest…..
Tonight I’m thankful for moments that move me to tears. For little boys hugging goats. For poetic days and poetic words and little girls who speak them. I give thanks for the love of those who have gone before, those whom the memories of make me laugh and cry and ache for just one more story, one more hug, one more word of wisdom, one more “I love you.” And in the midst of that yearning, I’m thankful for the opportunity to share those things with the ones I care about. Today. In this moment.
Life comes breaking in…..as usual.
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 