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something more

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Last night we had cereal for dinner. It's that hot.

I started out with grand plans for a summery dinner, but after the few minutes of standing over the stove, dripping in sweat, miserably hot children whining to swim, sticky baby crying to be fed– I decided enough was enough. 

It was the best decision I made all day.

Today, I write from my spot in the kitchen, the fan blowing directly onto my face. No oscillating. Just full-on breeze. 

We're in a two-day stretch of heat advisories and record-breaking temps. I'm watcing the hourly forecast again. I just need to know how much longer I have to survive. 

But this morning, despite the fact that the temperature inside the house is about the same as the temperature outside of the house, some work still had to be done. 

Normally, I pretty much hustle through a lot of these tasks. But this morning, the chant in my head was to slow down. My motivation was to stay cool, but I noticed the slowing down also began to change my state of mind. 

I'm often racing to accomplish the things that are just a part of my every day routine. As if there's something more or better or more important awaiting me. But most days, this is the better. This is the more. This is the more important. 

I can't believe I'm uttering these words, but today, I'm kind of grateful for this heat wave. For the forced slowing down. For the reminder to relax the pace at which I move through my day. Because these tasks and routines and the people I do them for, are my something more. 

.

Last night we had cereal for dinner. It's that hot.

I started out with grand plans for a summery dinner, but after the few minutes of standing over the stove, dripping in sweat, miserably hot children whining to swim, sticky baby crying to be fed– I decided enough was enough. 

It was the best decision I made all day.

Today, I write from my spot in the kitchen, the fan blowing directly onto my face. No oscillating. Just full-on breeze. 

We're in a two-day stretch of heat advisories and record-breaking temps. I'm watcing the hourly forecast again. I just need to know how much longer I have to survive. 

But this morning, despite the fact that the temperature inside the house is about the same as the temperature outside of the house, some work still had to be done. 

Normally, I pretty much hustle through a lot of these tasks. But this morning, the chant in my head was to slow down. My motivation was to stay cool, but I noticed the slowing down also began to change my state of mind. 

I'm often racing to accomplish the things that are just a part of my every day routine. As if there's something more or better or more important awaiting me. But most days, this is the better. This is the more. This is the more important. 

I can't believe I'm uttering these words, but today, I'm kind of grateful for this heat wave. For the forced slowing down. For the reminder to relax the pace at which I move through my day. Because these tasks and routines and the people I do them for, are my something more. 

14 comments on “something more”

  1. I kind of want to frame that last sentence and hang it over my bathroom mirror (or my washer/dryer, perhaps) as a reminder to me when I’m (too often) feeling grumbly about those daily tasks.

  2. Such a lovely post. Even when your challenges are great, you find a way to see the positive or the lesson in them. I love to come here and read your spin on the everyday world. Always reminds me to look for the good.

  3. I know how you feel – we’re living without air conditioning too. And, although the kids aren’t complaining, I don’t know how long I can justify popcorn and smoothies as meals!

  4. So nice to read this. We are right there with you in this hot weather in Maryland with no AC. Thanks for the reminder to just slow down and embrace it! We have a long summer ahead of us, might as well learn how to be grateful for it!

  5. beautiful post. i read somewhere, can’t remember where, to use your crockpot during the summer, but plug it in on a back porch or garage so it doesn’t heat up your house.

  6. I have been struggling for several months with the feeling of not accomplishing much of anything, of feeling my days are filled with routine tasks, of not contributing anything of true value to my family. Your words stayed with me all night:

    “But most days, this is the better. This is the more.This is the more important. Because these tasks and routines and the people I do them for, are my something more.”

    Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  7. Tomorrow,we’ll hit 14 days of 92+ degree weather. Yeah. Its miserable. Our a/c is doing its best but its worn out and nearly broken down anyway.

    Stopping and enjoying those small moments and taking them in as treasures…love

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