The Song of our Day

The day unfolds, a familiar rhythm begins with a slow but steady tempo. Make the beds, greet the children, begin the laundry, make a pot of tea, help children with the various bits and pieces which inevitably, arise as they work and play…the day is in full swing. The rhythm is comforting, soothing. I am thankful that there’s no “out-the-door” rush in our home. Rarely, in fact! We make choices to avoid this and ask God for His grace to cover the times which we cannot avoid it. Home is where we work, play, coexist, learn, relax, and love. These thoughts play in my mind this morning, as I continue with the small tasks which begin today’s song. I check my daughter’s progress in her room cleaning, put away the scraps of this and that which I find lying here and there. I place outgoing mail (a finished Netflix) on the mailbox, and enjoy the coolness of morning’s air. Although still a couple months away, the air has Autumn’s crisp notes and I sigh, wishing Autumn’s song had already begun to play. Yet, I do not want to wish away the time, only the summer heat and pesky mosquitoes. The day’s rhythm slows when I sit down, and, for a few moments, open up my “pink” laptop. Just the sight of it makes me happy, for I love PINK. I sip my tea from the pink mug I chose to start my day with…today is a strong, black breakfast tea and as usual, a bit of milk has been added to temper tea’s acidity. I look forward to seeing my chubby baby this morning, but I find myself grateful too, for a few extra moments for housework, or, for sitting down.

Until now, when I hear her sweet baby voice cooing, an edge of concern in her voice. She is ready to become part of our music today! The rhythm picks up quickly, and I miss the slower tempo of my day’s first hour. More laundry, lunch, laundry again, nursing, baby’s cat nap, laundry, return phone calls, check email, schedule an appointment…I feel the acceleration. A few moments to mend on the sewing machine. Awake again, my baby rides contentedly on my hip as I move about the house.

The children play happily, my daughter telling stories to her younger brother. Imagination at it’s best! And at last, baby is down for her longer afternoon nap. My almost-3-year-old (who had dissolved into hysterical tears, a sure sign of tiredness!) fell asleep as well. The house is blessedly quiet and I make some tea, savoring both it and the slower tempo it restores. The last load of laundry for today is humming in the dryer. Dinner will be leftovers eaten amidst the rush between my husband coming home and the kids’ swim lessons. It is hot and humid outdoors, and so the water will bring refreshment this evening, as they splash about and (hopefully) learn to float--or slide--or swim!

Time to begin evening preparations before the little girls wake. Soon, the day’s tempo will increase until the comfortable rhythm of bedtime arrives. And so our days go in this way, their music beautiful to my ears, composing the song our life and home sings, measure by measure.