I sat to write with my laptop open and my growing too fast boy next to me scrolling through videos about video games. We’d spent the last few hours yelling at the TV (*ahem* college football!) and my beloved had left to pick-up dinner.
The moment was ordinary, not one to post or highlight or photograph. But, moments like those are what makes our everyday life.
Years ago, a mom-friend shared the beginnings of a family memory book she’d begun to piece together. In it were the usual smiling, posed photographs we would expect. However, alongside those were pictures of open cereal boxes on the table, a collection of dinosaurs strewn across the floor, and untied cleats left at the stairs. Her goal – capture the tiniest moments she feared she’d forget.
Rhythms, routines and familiar are the foundation of deepening and building relationships with our families.
When I ask, “What decisions will I make this fall to make my 2020 soul-story one I want to be living?” I desperately want to focus in on my family.
Just this week I lamented to a friend our family has entered an extra busy season. We have a longer-than-normal-for-us stretch of full evenings. I’m looking forward to several of the events, but on one hand, I find myself wishing the busy time would pass. On the other, I hate to wish time away.
She agreed. We will turn around and be empty nesters.
I’ve blinked and we’ve jumped from school beginning to days away from the holidays.
I’m committed to beginning in this fall season what I want to continue into our new year.
Committed to rhythms
Maybe this is a new or renewed commitment to get up together and go to bed together. I’m not a morning person by nature, but after almost 14 years of marriage to my beloved and a profession that requires early rising, I’ve changed my habits some. Now, we do our mornings together. Even when he flies out early for work, I still get up to stand with him while he waits for coffee and say goodbye at the door. This quiet act feels bonding and sacred. — I wrote briefly about this back in April on Day 23 of an Instagram writing challenge based on Emily P. Freeman’s book, “The Next Right Thing”. (click here)
Committed to routines
Each Sunday evening of my growing up years, our phone would ring at about the same time. After Sunday evening church, after friends had gone home from Sunday night socials, about the time we were all heading to bed, my grandparents would call. My dad, a pastor at the time, would fill in my grandfather on the family and church happenings. Before texts and free long distance, this routine kept them connected. What routines have we established to connect with our families?
Committed to familiar
When my growing too fast boy was tiny, my beloved and I shared bath and bedtime duties. As my boy grew of course the bedtime routine changed, but one thing has remained consistent. We pray together before my boy goes to bed. Now, it’s less “tuck me in” and more goodnight as a family, but I pray it stays constant.
My friends, may your last 70 days of this year be full of glorious ordinary. May you find the sacred within the rhythms, routines and familiar of daily life.
Hugs and blessings – Bethany
PS – The day after I’d written the outline for this piece, my pastor taught on the same subject. His message stirred my heart with reminders of what is truly important. I invite you to listen… “You are indispensable to your family.” https://vimeopro.com/fbcfrisco/friscofirstmessages/video/367823226
Hello fellow hope*writer! This was such an enjoyable read, particularly the memory of your father talking to his father on the phone every Sunday night. What a sweet memory. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Emily!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂