It was such a gift to be home for 13 years. A precious time bubble that I knew wouldn't last forever but that I was in. I knew it every single day. Of course mothering my two little ones at the time was at the forefront of my mind. The days felt ordinary then; most of the tasks were repeated over an over. Wake them up, cook their breakfast, get them ready for the day. And on and on the day went. I loved it all - knew I was meant for 'such a time as this'. I relied heavily on my strong organizational skills, and a strong sense of ideals on how I wanted them to be raised - in read alouds, wonderful books, first picture books then chapter books (and still I read aloud to them - working on finalizing my list for this summer), in wholesome play - open-ended toys that allowed them to create 'worlds' and delve deep into their imagination, time to talk talk talk with them. Not TV shows, screens, or even movies.
And even now ideals in mothering are very important to me. I have filled a notebook throughout this school year with ideas for the summer to connect with my daughters now almost 23 and 19 I have Bible studies planned, tea times planned, outings planned, questions I want to ask them, find out what is deeply on their hearts, and mother them. I still believe this mothering that I do is the most important work in my life.
There are days since I went back to the classroom that feel too full and messy to me. But I hold on to those ideals. And when Anna's days are so full (full time program graduate school and math tutoring in a school) and Abigail is too far to talk to some days (away at college), I still put my effort into mothering. I pray for them (oh how I pray for them), I plan for our times together with my very best friends that they will be intentionally life giving, and I create places and spaces in our home that are a delight for them. There are often frozen homemade cookie dough balls ready to pop in the oven for a warm evening treat and a stolen moment away together. I am ready.
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