One of my favorite bloggers recently died from cancer. She was a mother of six and wrote of her many ordinary days at home with her children. I have been reading her blog from my early years of marriage and tucked away her mothering advice for the future to come. She inspired me to have a large family and her words that I have put on my heart, after all this time, continues to shape my life.
When I read that she had passed away, I wept. I felt like I was losing a friend and mentor. And yet we had never met in real life.
I spent the afternoon reading through some of her old posts, something I already did often when I needed some mothering or simple living encouragement. And I was reminded just how lucky I am to spend ordinary days with these four treasures of mine.
Over the past few months I have been really struggling with friendships, with new acquaintances, and with this never ending societal pressure to keep up. Being reminded of how quickly life can be taken away, my heart has shifted. Even though I don't want to, I often spend too much time worrying about what other people think of me or how I can better fit in. When truly I already have everything that I need.
What a gift that I get to spend every day at home with these children. I do not take that for granted. That I can treasure the simplest things in life - lighting a candle, reading a book with a child, enjoying a warm cup of tea, and listening to birds chirp in the yard.
I want to be more open with my heart. More truthful about my convictions for simplicity. To continue to be a spokesperson that children are a blessing. And to choose authenticity over fitting in.
To my friend Sarah, thank you for all that you taught me. May I honor your life and wisdom in how I choose to go about my days. Today I choose to treasure, to serve, and to let go of the things that don't matter.
To many more ordinary days to come. May I appreciate the beauty in the everyday.
