A Lil' Green Joy

Our winter days are quickly disappearing and spring is just around the bend------and oh! how the days have passed us by to bring us to this quiet Sunday in mid-March, St. Patrick's Day! We had not a grand display for the day------nor a superb outfit to wear or party to attend! It was just a day of rest at home after our long trip home from spring break in Atlanta this past week. Mommy lounged in jeans and a green tank top with a long sleeve workout top thrown over it! You were dressed in leggings and a tee shirt-----I don't even think they matched but we slipped a little green barrette in your hair after nap to tack in a little green for our trip to the store. I guess that although we were resting on Sunday before our preschool/regular routine week, I was also racing to the finish line--------no particular place but just running full force...washing clothes, organizing bills, working online, visiting with friends online and on the phone, staying in touch with Daddy as to when his weekend work trip in Kentucky would end, planning dinner.........and as we were walking out the backdoor for two ingredients for dinner, I locked us out! Not so very lucky!?! Or so at first glance it didn't seem so........it was 47 degrees and the two of us were sitting on the backdoor step with Princess Girl (whom we think is expecting baby kittens in a few weeks)------but I had you! I looked at you. You looked at me and smiled, "Mommy, I love you! Mommy, I love you!" It was on repeat and little bursts of laughter and smiles as you tried to read my body language. I called Daddy and he said, "Are you kidding?" And of course, our spare key was missing too. So we sat there and a little smile played across my mind too. "Be still!" Sometimes in the race to the finish line------there's no need to run with all your might but to just stop. be still. relish the moment! Seconds later, the locksmith pulled up and let us into our home. Daddy to the rescue. For the rest of the day, I opted for a slower pace. We ventured out to the grocery store and when a gentleman offered me to pass him with our two items in the checkout, I simply said, "Thank you but I'm not in any hurry." I'm always fussing at you for doing things too quickly----I'll remind you to slow down often times throughout the day! I must take my own advice. Even when we're at home, there's no need for me to set so many goals and race to that finish line each day! There's no end to all that I love to do and want to do--------what matters is that I find joy in each day, each moment with you! And I must say it was nice to enjoy the rest of the evening prepping dinner for the three of us-------lemon oregano breakfast chops (one of my childhood favorites---although I think Daddy has mastered cooking these better than Mommy has....his are always so, so juicy!), fresh eggplant fried in olive oil (a summer favorite that you and I enjoy), and homemade mashed potatoes (a southern American staple)--------and a fresh Greek salad for Daddy (Daddy & I always enjoyed having these at local taverns all across Greece together; each salad had its own unique flavor depending on the vegetables, olive oil, and vinegar used.).

 Another favorite St. Patrick's Day joyful moment were my two favorite sets of hands working together on your Princess bicycle! You started saving money for it after Christmas in your tin can---------$40+ of change later and the sale of your first bicycle this past Monday----and we were able to buy it while we enjoyed our time together in Atlanta. Your smile.......your eagerness to have this bicycle for your babies to ride with you.......you earned it and we look forward to watching you ride it, continue to grow into it and enjoy it for a couple of years....your first pedaling moments were in our kitchen floor tonight--------and of course, it wouldn't have been feasible for Daddy not to honor your request to ride it outside "really quickly before it rains...we have to hurry, Daddy!"

But when you find yourself stumbling to find the finish line, remember this lil' green Sunday on Sampson Ave with Mommy-------slow down. Be still------and there you'll find your luck, your joy, your finish line!