Blowing Wishes.

As per November tradition, many have been posting something they are grateful for each day. Because our move is in the middle of the Christmas season, we've been in the Christmas spirit as well. I'm grateful that our move is happening when it is. Usually around this time, we think of things we are grateful for, but for me, this "gratitude attitude" is centered on Christ.

I had a traumatic experience almost five years ago. I'm not going to go into any details, as it isn't something I'd post for the world to see, but please feel free to message me privately if curiosity gets the better of you. An extremely very few whom I've confided in will know what I'm referring to. I compartmentalized the event after it happened and it stayed tucked away, with only minor reappearances, until now. I've been having flashbacks every night for the last couple weeks, sometimes making it hard or impossible to fall asleep. After an especially rough night last night, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and comfort when I stumbled across this video this morning.

Today I squeezed my girls a little tighter, cuddled a little longer, and laughed a little more. I forgot about the dishes and laundry, and was just a mom today. We ran the errands that couldn't wait and then went to one of my favorite parks. Utah has had incredible weather and I wanted to take advantage of it while we could. We ran and played and explored and climbed. Aoife even went down slides and laughed alongside her sister on the swings. We were there for a couple hours. On the way home, I got Claire a happy meal and shared it while talking and laughing.

We have dandelions along the sidewalk that leads to our car. Not the yellow sunny ones, but the ones you blow. I don't know what your mom called them, but mine called them wishes. Each time we pass, Claire desperately tries to pick one. Sometimes I'm in a hurry and try to speed her past. Lately I've been trying to take the time to carefully pick one with her. Hold it dearly, and blow on the count of three. Then we laugh as we watch the seeds fly.

It's funny how a simple day playing at the park and eating McDonald's can turn into one of the best days I've ever had. I am especially grateful for big smiles and little moments like these that take away our burdens, sorrows, and struggles, even if only for a moment. Sometimes in our hurried lives, it's necessary to take time and blow the wishes.