Just Another Day in Paradise

I was reading Sallie's post on her A Gracious Home blog.  She linked to this article: Sorry but my children bore me to death .  She warned readers that it was appalling.  I wasn't prepared to be as appalled as I was however. The author drones on and on about how "mind-numbing" conversing with her offspring is and that they "have got used to my disappearing to the gym when they're doing their prep (how boring to learn something you never wanted to learn in the first place). They know better than to expect me to sit through a cricket match, and they've completely given up on expecting me to spend school holidays taking t hem to museums or enjoying the latest cinema block-boster alongside them".  And what is so much more stimulating to her than the look of utter joy that crosses a child's face at the park or when they strike it rich at Monopoly: "...thoughts of my own lunch and which shoes I plan to wear with what skirt. "

Whatever.

Frankly I find shoes mindnumbingly boring.  Food is a close second. You eat it, it's gone.  Kids are forever. Although if you are unsure of the purpose of life then you are likely to be perplexed when faced with the ultimate reminder of same - children.

It's ironic because all I could think of while reading was yesterday. A day not unlike all the ones that came before. We were rolling through downtown on the way to the midwife's office.  We were late. Why are we always late??  Maybe because the goats got out of their gate at the last minute and the milk jar spilled and the baby had a diaper disaster. Any number of explanations!  Anyway, as I drive I am telling the girls to brush out their hair before we get out of the van. I see through the rear view that Kieran is sporting his new boots and tattered felt cowboy hat.  He is very pleased with his outfit but it IS one of those bite-your-tongue-mom moments. We call home to ask the big boys to check and see if the goats were successfully corralled and I miss my turn.  While I am backtracking the little ones notice Daddy is following us and they wave at him through the back window.  As I am thinking how crazy wonderful my life is at any given time I hear the words of Phil Vassar's song on the radio:

The kids screaming, phone ringing

Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Friday, you're late
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant you start to cry
Baby, we'll just improvise
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and daddy
Can meand my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Yeah it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Finally we arrive and shuttle everyone into the Victorian house turned midwifery office. The midwife squirts gel on this body of mine that has been down this road 8 times before while I say a silent prayer it will come through for me one more time.  We all squeeze around the ultrasound monitor and suddenly appears this teeny tiny hand flexing and stretching and truly all I can think is "Man! Does it get better than this???" 

I am firmly convinced "happy" is a verb.  As my friend Elizabeth says it is a decision we make everyday to wake up and do it all over again. Not only to do it all, but to do it with the acknowledgement of the blessing hidden inside every trial.  We have to decide if this is "monotonous, lonely, and relentless" or if is it an embarassment of riches.  We are swimming in blessing if we just open our eyes and embrace it. Shame on us when we neglect to notice.

Comments

[Theresa]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I am holding back the tears! What more can I say when you've just said it all?

[Jen]

I love this post! Thanks for the reminder--what a beautiful essay!

[Ebeth]

Just what I need to read today! I'm not holding back tears; just let 'em roll.

[Cay in La.]

Outstanding, Kim!
Your blessings bless us all. :)

[Genevieve]

Wonderful post! I'm actually tearing up a bit.

[Sara M.]

Tears here, too. :)

[Cheryl]

I got goosebumps during the song (yes, I could hear it) and watery eyes with your words. There is no better feeling (for me) than gratitude.

[Donna Marie]

Thank you Kim...once again you hit my heart! I have a lot of thinking to do as I clean my paradise today...God is whispering to me in your blog...thank you so much!! Sent with a prayer!!

[Jax]

Thank you for wiping out that article. I'd coincidentally read it earlier today and couldn't begin to think how to reply that was printable.

[Maura]

Beutiful, honest and true...thank you so much, I so needed to read this today.

Maura

[Angel]

What a bewildering article that was. Your reply to it was just right.

[jackie]

That was beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes and conviction to my heart. How very often i complain. . .
(i came here by way of Woodstone Prairie.)

[KC]

Absolutely beautiful!!!

[Dani]

Beautiful! I count my blessings everyday...I am so very thankful for everything that the Lord has given me. {{Hugs}}

[Jennie C]

I love that song. Isn't that how life goes? If happy isn't a verb, love certainly is. You can't love passively, that's for sure.

[Jolene]

Wonderful post and I have always loved that Phil Vassar song as well. :)

That article (the linked one) honestly made my stomach turn. I feel so much for her children.

Good luck and healthy vibes through the rest of your pregnancy and delivery.

[Meredith]

Wow, thanks for this one!! All totally true and it IS paradise for me too!!! Love that picture!

[Rebecca]

Beautiful Kim. Thanks so much! BTW, I love that song.

[Chrissy]

What a wonderful post! I came from Lapaz Farm's Blog.

I was singing along with the words :)