Words to live by, right?
I see that fortune every time I open our fridge. I need to see it. I tend to rush through things all the time. There's always something to do, somewhere to be, a mess to clean, a butt to wipe...
Today was no exception. I was rushing around the house, doing my usual chores/lunch/workout routine. Addie was finally down for a nap, so I hopped in the shower. I needed to get out of the house and to the polling place/grocery store at a decent hour. Lilly was watching television... or so I thought. I got out of the shower and she ran to meet me.
She smiled at me with that sweet little grin of hers and said, "Mommy. You are invited to my sweetest party ever. We are having the bestest tea party in the whole life world. You can wear your belt. I have two chairs."
She likes to have tea parties a lot... and I usually join her. But some days, well, I have to decline the invitation because I have dinner to make or laundry to fold. Or some days, I have to vote for a Presidential candidate. I was really close to telling her we'd have to reschedule, but then, well... I didn't. I finished getting dressed and decided the election could wait. I followed my little hostess into her room.
The table was completely packed. There were at least four cups, ten plates, a handful of utensils, a coffee pot, a teapot and every piece of toy food she could find. Her best friends Rapunzel and Snow White were also there. Two stuffed puppies were sitting under the table... waiting to snatch up any crumbs, I imagine. She thought of everything, every detail. She showed my to my seat and then we began our feast. She had the pasta, I had the peas.
I didn't rush through it. I didn't pretend to drink tea, while mentally preparing tomorrow's to-do list. I focused on her and her party. I focused on the way she offered her dolls a taste of her food before she took a bite. And the way she made sure every guest had their own plate and cup. And the way she demanded that we pray and say thank you for our "healthy desserts" before we were allowed to dig in.
It was perfect.
And it was the perfect reminder that I don't need to rush through every day, every moment, every tea party. These precious moments won't happen every day but when they do, I am going to make it a point to take it all in. To enjoy every moment with my sweet girl(s).
I encourage you to do the same with your children. Slow down for a little while and just play. Follow their lead. Enjoy their company. Enjoy life. Everything else can wait.
I wish I were at that tea party...
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