You know what it's like after Christmas and the euphoria of a new year has quickly faded and January has arrived. It's interesting to glimpse the faces that were once so full of cheer and warm greetings as they now scurry quickly past. Perhaps it's the bitterness of the harsh winter weather that brings about this change of spirit. Or is it that the cup of commercialism that over flows during this particular festive season now leaves only a bad taste in ones mouth and also pay day seems far far away.
I love January, the cold winter evenings provide an opportunity to cosy up with my daughter under the electric blanket reading her favourite books. At school I look forward with great anticipation, to watching children spring to life in their learning. Most of all I love it because it is my birthday month.
This January there is and extra special milestone to celebrate; my mother and father in-law will celebrate 50years of marital bliss and for that I am humbled, inspired and grateful (day 8).
Life as a mother consists of pretty much the same thing every day, every week and every month; the routines of ironing, washing, cleaning, taking the rubbish out, cooking, going to work and looking after your family and home. Life is not about constantly trying to find the next exciting and glamorous thing to fill your day with hoping to detract from the mundane tasks we face; most of the time it is about monotonous routines and paying bills. My daughters often ask me the question "What's for dinner?" and sometimes I answer them... "Rice and stew!" (For us of African culture this is pretty much our staple diet)and they respond with a moan, to which I reply.. "Not every day is going to be a 3 course gourmet meal.. sometimes it will be plain old rice and stew!"
ReplyDeleteHere lies the challenge.. to be happy in the day to day monotony of life.
Its a Sunday,late afternoon, almost sunset and so the sun is disappearing behind the roof tops but not before giving us a last burst of bright yellow/orangey light (I wish I could take a picture to show you) .. having gone to church with the girls we came home for lunch and then each of the girls disappeared into their own rooms to get on with playing, watching DVD's or doing homework and I am left on my own (which in itself is heavenly!)with beautiful peace and quiet watching TV and(doing the ironing!)in my warm, cosy house, healthy, happy and secure.
I am grateful for moments like this when I am not running around or trying to create excitement but am content with my little lot being the mother of 3 beautiful girls (and all that it encompasses).
Sade x