Sometimes I can't fall asleep at night because Pete has the light on so that he can knit. Until almost midnight.
Sometimes the kids crawl into bed with us at 2 AM and bicker about who's elbow is jammed into who's ribs; or who is hogging the blankets.
Sometimes the heater gets inadvertently turned up and by 4 AM it's way too warm to fall back to sleep.
Sometimes at 5:30 the dog and the cat are alternatly licking my face or pawing my feet or otherwise doing their best to love me awake.
Sometimes I roll out of bed in the morning grumpy and tired – only to discover that no one washed the dishes last night and the coffee pot is still dirty from the day before.
Sometimes I wonder what today is going to bring with all of this tired and crabby going on.
And then I remember.
I remember that I have a kind, thoughtful, funny, loving husband. (Who knits!)
I remember that I have two amazing kids to keep me awake all night.
I remember that I have a house and a heater and a big bed to be jammed into with all of these wonderful people.
I remember that we had dinner last night and the promise of breakfast and coffee today (and a faucet of clean, hot water to wash it all up with).
Sometimes I remember to find gratitude in the act of simply waking up.
Love,
Rachel
Wow! Thank you for that. You really put things into perspective for me today. Thank you so much for that.
Lovely, thanks!
Timely reminder–I was just realizing that I was going to need an extra measure of patience today. Thank you, and enjoy your day!
Thank you for sharing this, it is so accurate the blessings and gifts of family life, even when sleep is much needed 🙂
Needed this today. Up all night is hard….but I am so thankful for this little person who needs me….
This is exactly what I needed to hear this morning, Rachel. Thank you for your insightful words as usual.
Nicely said, thank you. Just a slight shift in perspective does a world of good doesn’t it?
Such a timely reminder, thank you 🙂
Just what I needed to hear. My night sounds similar to yours.
Attitude and gratitude are everything.
Thank you thank you. We have two new kittens licking our faces each night & two kids, too. Gratitude!
This is totally the shift that keeps my days fulfilled. Not that my 6 month old kept my up all night because of her nasty cold. But that I am blessed to be able to stay at home with her and nurse her today, and don’t even HAVE to get out of my pj’s. Life is simple in its abundance. And I think abundance comes from gratitude, not the other way around.
It happens so quickly like that – a split second decision that guides the course of your day and the days to follow.
So wonderful to be able to remember this. It really is so simple.
Thank you.
Thanks. I needed this today 🙂
Lovely….and so true.
How lovely Rachel! I needed to be reminded of these simple things we so often take for granted. Thank you!
Hell yeah, sister!! Do me a favor and send another something just like this to my inbox the next few days. . . I’m getting there! : )
Thanks, you’re great!
Thanks for this post – it came at the perfect time.
yes. beautiful.
and thank you,
as always,
mb
I so needed this post today. I have been down with muscle spasms for two days and it has really worn on me. I woke up crabby, the house was a mess, the kids didn’t,want tho do their school work, the phone was ringing off the wall,I didn’t, handle any of it well. I just east done and when I read this post I started counting my blessings. Thanks.
Thanks for the reminder, Rachel! I loved your five ways to gratitude post and will try some of them this year! Thanks for helping me keep it real!
That pause to breathe and realize….
YES!
Thank you for this reminder!!
Rachel, I’ve been following your blog for over a year now and this is my first comment. I loved this post, and wanted to share with you that I have a beat up post-it note that has been next to my laptop ever since I read it on your blog (a quote from you!): “And I convinced myself that nothing happening on this box was better or more seductive or more exciting than a single thing going on in my kitchen, my backyard, or with my family.” I love this quote. Thank you, for re-grounding us all.
A side note: I’ve bought LuSa Organics for my pregnant sister as well as my friend’s for their baby showers, and they all absolutely love your products. Thank you for what you’re sharing wit the world.
Beautiful! I try to remember things like this, but sometimes it takes more effort. May your day be filled with joy and wonder.
Ah….yes.
I appreciate and enjoy your thoughts and wisdom. Thanks for making me smile and keeping me clean.
I was just thinking the same thing! Love this.
yes. and folding laundry and more laundry and more laundry is an opportunity to be grateful for all the bodies in this home 🙂
that is so cool that your husband has learned to knit! i’ve heard that my husband’s grandpa learned to crochet because he didn’t want to just sit and watch his wife crochet in the evenings. i don’t think my husband will knit with me, but he will get the knots out when i have an unruly skein 🙂
Ah, so true! It’s such a fine art to remember not to sweat the small stuff because the big stuff holds the keys to your happiness. Gratitude and perspective are essential. Thanks for the reminder.
My husband is a huge knitter too!! Sometimes…when we are not too busy with our 4 littles I’m the home. Love the perspective of this post’ thank you:)
Thanks for the reminder to be thankful!
So beautiful. And true. X