Every night after work it's rush, rush, rush. Leave work, run errands, pick up Nolan, come home, do small chores around the house, cook dinner, eat dinner, bathtime, pajamas, story and bed! Then, try to sit down and relax for an hour or so, maybe catch up on some DVR'd tv, brush teeth, go to bed, wake up.....you know the drill. And count every hour until the weekend. Sometimes it can feel like "Groundhog Day."
Tonight, Nolan and I were waiting for Daddy to get home from Parent Conferences. (UGH!! That time of year again!!) We dressed for the cold and headed outside; something we hadn't done since last week and this boy definitely needs his outside time. I figured I'd try to squeeze in some yard clean-up so I grabbed the rake and continued the job of leaf removal I had started last week. Nolan and Buckley wandered around the yard while I raked. Suddenly, I heard "Oooooooo!!!!!" come from around the corner of the house. I rushed to find Nolan smiling and pointing at the sky. The sun was setting over the river and the sky was this beautiful hue of amber. He was in total awe. At that point, I put down the rake and knelt down in the driveway beside my son to take in the beautiful view. I know the sun sets every day, but this was the first sunset he had ever noticed and delighted in. He deserved my time and acknowledgement so we watched the sun disappear behind the trees together. It suddenly didn't matter that leaves still littered the yard, the rake now resting against the house not to be picked up again for the rest of the evening.
I am thankful for the gifts that each day brings. The sunrises and sunsets, the smiles and laughter, the joys as well as the frustrations, the blue eyes that peer through crib railings each morning when I open the bedroom door and the "Na-night!" when I close that same door behind me at the end of the day, the surprises of newly discovered experiences and the routines we fall into....this boy reminds me that each day is precious. I've said it before, but there's really no other way to say it - we are truly blessed that this sweet boy has graced our lives.
And I can't wait to see what gifts tomorrow will bring.
