I'm in the middle of reading Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It's a great book so far and I highly recommend it. In one of the first chapters, Goodwin introduced cabinet member Edward Bates. She described him as "having a passionate joy in the present". I reread that phrase over and over again. A passionate joy in the present. How poetic of a life must that have been. That's what I want. I want to enjoy every moment of the life I'm currently living. I'm tired of constantly looking towards the next milestone: for the weekend, for my kids to outgrow their allergies, for bedtime, for my pre-baby jeans to fit. I want to enjoy now and all the present entails. I want to delight in the way Collin throws his food, because he won't be a baby forever. I want to smile at Lydia's cries for one more story, because one day she won't want me to tuck her in. I want to look in the mirror and see the circles under my eyes as evidence of the dream of motherhood coming true for me. I have other things I want to accomplish this year. But mainly, I just want to enjoy it.
Welcome Welcome 2011.
I love that quote. Thank you for sharing it. What a great goal!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing quote.
ReplyDeleteI started to cry while reading this post. (maybe cuz I haven't got much sleep and I'm homeless:))But you are so right! Very inspiring, Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean homeless??? You are staying at my parents! And I heard you got taken out to my favorite Mexican Restaurant. Lucky!
ReplyDeleteHope you find a great place to stay. :)