Dear Mum,
Today began like any other day, slowly, playfully, joyfully. That first cup of coffee after a long night with baby feels like a relief and comfort to your body. Breakfast is finished, dishes are everywhere, toys start to take over the loungeroom and somehow everything starts to feel sticky. You take a breath, it is only 9am. Okay, let’s set up an activity for your eldest who is 2, she plays joyfully outside while you try to get your baby to sleep, he is enjoying watching his sister more than his desire for rest. So, you decide to make a tea, you ignore the dishes and the piles of laundry to gather yourself. 10am rolls around and you start to feel the knot form in your throat, the knot that seems to take shape every day at this time. Your nervous system is starting to become overwhelmed. You push it aside while you keep creating play for your children. Thank goodness, your baby is now asleep, this is a great chance to do a load of laundry and put some dishes away. Lunch is soon upon you, and you need to get it ready for your family. Your husband will be home soon from work to share lunch with him. You are almost overloaded with the noise, the touch, the mess you can’t get on top of. You start to feel guilty because your patience is running low, I mean you don’t have much tolerance after basically no sleep the night before. You push it aside and put it into play.
Your husband arrives home from work, the kitchen is an explosion, toys are everywhere and somehow after doing 3 loads of laundry more has accumulated. You take a deep breath. Normally by now you’ve spiraled, you start snapping, you feel agitated from all the laundry, the mess, the noise. One more load to hang out. The basket feels heavier than normal, you feel resentment and your thoughts start throwing spears at your husband wishing that you could be the one that goes to work and then home to a cooked meal. But as you are hanging out your laundry suddenly a new thought pops in your mind, I am beautifully serving my family. Suddenly your heart feels warm, the side of you that loves service fills you up with love for your children and your husband. This life, the mess, the cuddles, the play, the dishes, the cooking and yes even the laundry are beautiful ways to serve, and instead of feeling agitated you feel peace, this is the life you are meant to be living.
From my heart to yours,
Megan
