Some days are. Just. So. Hard. They’re never ending. The demands keep coming. The fatigue is palpable. Tasks that seem so simple and should take but two seconds…*always* wind up with a puddle of something gross, tears, mess, effort and frustration oozing out of every pore. Elbows quietly poke into siblings’ ribs when they think we aren’t looking, the floor that was once clean now is full of crumbs, patience is lost, batteries are found…in the hands of the toddler, obviously. Preschoolers go to timeout after timeout. Second graders are burning off energy in questionably appropriate ways (couch jumpiiiiing). Tweens roll eyes. Sometimes I wonder if anything at all I’m saying is sinking in. Sometimes I look at the clock and will it to be bedtime.
I know, I know. The truth is that these are the beautiful years of parenthood, busy busy busy. I am certainly grateful for these “special” moments of harried heaven. Of course at times I wish everything would all just go by…*easily*. But then I think, too, that the rough spots have their place. A sunset or sunrise over the ocean is stunning at baseline, just like our lives. With nothing extra added to the mix, the simple fact that we exist on this earth and the basic beauty of our day-to-day is straight up incredible. Certainly, a sunset marks the passage of time, points to a greater power and is a clear and poignant reminder of the smallness of our place in it all. Visually speaking, though, the image of a giant golden orb cresting upward to greet the sea in the morning, vibrant cantaloupe colors swirling about is absolutely breathtaking. Similarly stunning is the scene of the heavy sun slowly, slowly sinking lower in the rosy pink pillow sky to at last kiss the line of the ocean. Isn’t it true, though, that a sunset is even that much more spectacular when there are a few clouds “in the way” or remnants of a storm lingering on the horizon? Rays of light fragmented and shooting in all directions, the clouds embodying different hues and further amplifying the magnificence and majesty. Puffy, fluffy or wispy brush strokes…it doesn’t even matter the number or shape or intensity of the clouds, but having a few “obstacles” here and there actually enhances the whole experience. So too then, I feel like these crapola days of sighs and strain, headaches and heartaches, exhaustion and embarrassment must in some way intensify the awesome sauce of our lives in one way or another. Turns out life is just a series of days filled with clusters and interruptions and laughter and little successes and head-banging defeats and hard and easy and rough and fab. So unless the clouds flat-out occlude your ability to appreciate the glow of the sunset at all (and we’ve all had *those* days as well) then I think all we can do is acknowledge and appreciate, seek out the lessons amidst the muck, try to laugh at the crazy when you can, return to our grateful heart and cling to our spouses or friends or kids or parents and keep taking steps forward. Little by little, we will get there. Stay strong out there, friends.
This ❤️ I am so proud of you and this blog . This entry speaks so true to my heart . If we took the time to really gaze at the sun setting or rising in all it’s wonder and did the same with our children on a daily basis .. it would probably make everything a little easier . Yo see the beauty in the chaos is hard sometimes .. but having that open heart and mind to see His sense of humor in telling you ” you’re doing a fab job , momma” is such a gift to want to share with others . We will take deep breaths inward , and we will exhale , and we will laugh at the day and end with wine ?
Awwww, lady! Thank you! It’s so true, right?? Of course it’s much easier said than done BUT if we all take baby steps, I truly believe we will get there. Love you to pieces and can’t tell you just how much your support means to me. You *get it* girl!! And I’m the lucky one. Thanks, chica!! xoxoxoxo
Beautifully written!! I’m so excited for you with this new venture! How wonderful to be able to carve out a space where you can put your voice out there and hopefully give some people a new perspective or more specifically with this post, the ability to let your readers know that they can allow themselves some grace on the “crazy” days. That we have all been there and that it’s all part of the tapestry of life. Seems like you are off to a great start with this…who knows where it will lead but I’m excited to find out!
Thank you so much, Sarah! It really is a special treat to have a little corner of the universe where I can unload my inner thoughts and questions and fears. It’s so freeing to know we really *aren’t* alone in this parenting journey!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write! Miss you, Sarah!! xo
Beautifully written! I love that you are sharing your journey here. You are a talented writer and I’m glad to see you taking this step. I thoroughly enjoy reading about your little moments and knowing I am not alone in the exhaustion and joy that comes with it. Lots of love and luck to you, Sweet Kate.
Aww, Amazing Megan! Thank you soooo much for your note!! It really touches my heart and am so truly thankful for you, please know that! We are all walking shoulder to shoulder on this motherhood journey and definitely helpful to know that we are soooo *not* alone in Crazy Town! Love you, mama! xoxoxo
It’s as if we need all of those crumb spilling couch jumping, eye rolling moments in order to be able to take a deep breath and appreciate the sun rise/set/quiet moment of looking up and not seeing the mess of a house!!
You got it, sister!! Now if only that was as easy as it sounded lol!! All we can do is try 🙂
Ok seriously Kate I have read through all these posts so far and have laughed out loud , nodded my head in agreement and cried a few tears!! You are amazing and now have to write an actual book!! Fact or fiction , your writing is captivating. Xoxo
Awww Kelly!!! You are so nice!! Thank you so much for these sweet compliments!! It truly makes me so happy that you’re able to relate to these little moments! Really, thank you so so much, too, for taking the time to read all of them. Such a great friend you are. xoxoxoxo