The grace of interruption
{By Michelle Palmer of One Roof Africa}
“Mama will you lay with me?”
I sigh. Why is this glaring screen more enticing to me than her seven-year-old nighttime snuggles?
“In a minute,” I reply, thinking she might just go fall asleep before I get to her. More than “a minute” passes and then, from the bedroom, “Mama?”
I relent. Walk down the dark hall into her even darker room. Grumble as I trip over the toys left out and the Sit-n-Spin rumbles loud under my feet. Will this house ever be mess-free?!
She’s tucked in under her t-shirt quilt, a Christmas gift I had made for each of us before our move to Uganda. I cuddle her close, smell her hair, rub my fingers down her arms, think of how big she is growing and she really should have had a shower before bed and she giggles, “Mama, you’re taking up a lot of room.” In my snuggling I inadvertently took over her pillow and now she’s just lying on a corner. I scooch over a bit.
She asks for a song. “But not a catchy one–I don’t want to be singing it all night.” I begin to sing “Stay Awake”, but she stops me. “No, no, not that one! Less catchy!” Aggravated, I sing “Amazing Grace,” with all the verses. She calls Benny to her side; he lies down and lays his head across her tummy.
The song’s almost over and Noah stumbles in from his room, fortunately steering clear of the Sit-n-Spin. “Mom, will you lay with me?”
I have things to do, yes, but I consent and send him back to his bed to wait on me. I sing another chorus; Benny and Dorothy sing back to me with their snores. My little gift of grace ever-growing, and will there be a day when she doesn’t need a mama’s nuzzle hug and song to find rest?
I kiss her cheek and go down the hall to the one and only, Noah, waiting for me in his bed. He’s nine and still loves a good snuggle time, though he rarely he asks. Everything in me wants to memorize these moments. These too-precious, fleeting moments when hugs and songs are enough to bring rest. I beg/pray that the Father will remind me ever so gently, when I get too caught up in myself, to remember that these days will not always be. That there will be a day free of mess, and that day will also be free of babies and children and scraped knees and silly laughter.
Amazing grace to embrace it all. Always.
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Discovered by Story Editor, Robin Dance of PENSIEVE :: @PensieveRobin
Edited By Robin Pensieve | October 6th, 2011 | Category: Featured 2, Memoir, Monday 1, Robin at Pensieve | 29 comments
Twitter: www.kristigriem.com
says:
This line: when I get too caught up in myself, to remember that these days will not always be.
SUCH a great reminder. Thanks!
Twitter: beebs66
says:
As I sit here in my quiet, empty house, I can only nod my head and brush away my tears at the wise truth in these words, “remember that these days will not always be. That there will be a day free of mess, and that day will also be free of babies and children and scraped knees and silly laughter.”
The grace of interruption http://t.co/8wy6FImB
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
RT @PensieveRobin: "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/KaeraTq2
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
The grace of being published. Squeal! Thank you @PensieveRobin RT @StoryBleed: The grace of interruption http://t.co/6Ibpq9l3
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
Yeah… this: http://t.co/EMHfCQGT (Again: long days, short years)
A little gift of grace ever-growing by @oneroofafrica http://ht.ly/6PV6F
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
If you're a mom, "The Grace of Interruption" on @storybleed by @oneroofafrica will pierce you straight to the heart: http://t.co/U5OdesWi
A little gift of grace ever-growing by @oneroofafrica http://ht.ly/6PV6F
Yes, this- The grace of interruption by @oneroofafrica on @StoryBleed http://t.co/YOVxRVaN
Yeah… this: http://t.co/EMHfCQGT (Again: long days, short years)
The grace of interruption http://t.co/pjeP1yPi
The grace of interruption http://t.co/pjeP1yPi
Absolutely beautiful! As a mom I can very much relate. Every parent should read this!
Anna recently posted..Cerec veneer – You want hi-tech? I\’ll give you hi-tech!
this is the first time i heard and it’s sounds very interesting.
Cherry recently posted..christian dating tips
Twitter: MosaicIdeas
says:
Hi thanks for the article I just started a blog on mosaic art I am trying to find similar blogs to comment on and leave my link. This was my sons suggestion and he did not say it would be this difficult lol. Well if you have a moment please give me a visit.
Andrea @ Mosaic Ideas recently posted..Mosaic Ideas in the Subway
Twitter: karenhammons
says:
Have you been in my house during bed time?? Because after reading this, I think you have been
GREAT post that I can relate to SO much. Thank you for sharing!!
Interesting story with fun and grace. Never seen post such like that. Keep up the good work.
Smith recently posted..Forex
My oldest just went to college…her room is so clean now. I’d give anything for a snuggle and a trip over a toy right now! Concentrating on enjoying moments with younger ones evn more than I was before…
Thanks! Every parent should read this!
Erma Wilkinson recently posted..Cancer Tattoos Tumblr
Thanks! Hi thanks for the article I just started a blog on mosaic art I am trying to find similar blogs to comment on and leave my link. Every parent should read this!
Lucille Hendricks recently posted..Many Mops