Simple Gifts

There is an old Shaker hymn that goes like this...

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

This Christmas, my most favorite gift didn’t cost money and you couldn’t buy it at the store.

My wonderful husband gave me the gift of time. Time, especially to a stay at home mother, is the one thing you rarely have. And by time, I mean time by myself. My husband was off from work all this week which allowed me to enjoy that commodity often spoken of, but rarely experienced - real showers. When you are a mother, the ability to spend 10 uninterrupted minutes in the shower is pure luxury. To have the time and presence of mind to consider…should I exfoliate? Perhaps leave the conditioner on a little longer? These are thoughts you only dream about on all of the other days when you have about 10 minutes to get the shower, dry your hair and get everything else done in the bathroom that needs doing. This Christmas, I had time for showers. I also had time to shop! Yes! It’s true. Read on…

One afternoon, when child number two was down for a nap and child number one was on his way to snoozeville, I left my husband and children at home and spent three glorious hours shopping for whatever I wanted to, wherever I wanted to - by myself. I went into stores that didn’t accommodate strollers or children. I lingered in places that I normally wouldn’t be able to. I tried clothes on…by myself…in a dressing room, without having to make faces in the mirror to entertain the baby. I even offered chuckles of understanding and knowing looks to people who were out shopping with their overtired toddlers. Yes, I knew what they were going through, but my little ones were happily napping away at home! It was pure bliss.

Add to this, the help that my husband provided during this past week and you start to understand why I am so grateful. As I have stated before, Baby Girl is a bit on the plump side, and she’s still not walking. So that means she gets carried everywhere. My back (and particularly my left hip) have gotten so sore from her that I finally saw a physical therapist last week who diagnosed me with an inflamed hip joint. And I really can’t stop re-injuring myself until this child walks. So fast forward to Monday, and I am putting Baby Girl in her car seat in a store parking lot when it happens…my back completely gives out. My knees buckle, I plop Baby Girl the rest of the way into her seat and then grab the car door to keep from falling down. I spent the rest of the morning walking around bent in half and the afternoon on the couch with a cold pack and some vicodin. For three days, I couldn’t lift Baby Girl…and guess who came to my rescue? Who took care of every diaper change, bedtime routine, dish washing and dinner making? You got it. My wonderful husband. And he did all this while also entertaining OBB with an hour long run outside to play in the snow followed by making hot chocolate – every day.

My man really outdid himself this week…went above and beyond the call of duty if you will. And in the process, he made me one happy, contented, and stress-relieved wife. Thanks Honey. You got it just right.