My to-do list is out of control. Was out of control. I have an entirely new list tonight.
Big life changes have meant a mile-long list of business and busyness. Until I stopped. I realized today that in the blink of an eye, that never-ending list was beginning to rob me of more than I can ever achieve from it. Spontaneity. Joy. The moments of , "Oh, come see this, boys!" We moms rely on running lists, and generally once we note a task, it gets accomplished. While it is true that the list as big as Santa's must still be accomplished, it need not consume my life and taint the treasured moments I have with those I love.
So tonight, that list is tucked quietly aside while I make a new list. A not-to-be-forgotten list. Things I've always done and don't want to forget. Things I need to do more often. Things I need to begin again. Things I've never done before. The important stuff.
The things I want my boys to remember when they are parents telling their kids about growing up with Grandma. The things that allow me to be who they need me to be. The things that let me breathe. The things that allow me to love the people in my life fully... every single day.
So here it is. It's amazing how much clearer my thoughts are when I've got the right list! Ready to hold me accountable?
Sing every day.
Dance barefoot across the warm wood floor
while it's bathed in long afternoon sunlight.
Bake cookies more, and eat them straight out of the oven.
Keep mud up the sides of the adventure mobile.
Laugh until we can't breathe.
Splash in the puddles before the rain stops.
Rock a little boy while he still wants to be held.
Never be the first one to let go of an embrace.
Lay in the grass and name the shapes of the clouds.
Color with the big bucket of crayons.
Drink coffee on the deck, under the trees and the stars.
Hold hands.
Soak in long, deep bubble baths.
Play the piano while little feet dance.
Build a fire pit where we can hear the creek through the night air.
Roast marshmallows more even in the summer.
Watch the bubbles drift.
Leave it all behind and hike the mountains more.
Twirl in soft, wisps of chiffon until they float in circles about my legs
like I did when I was a little girl.
Give every hug eye contact that speaks my heart.
Camp.
Make a hot breakfast for my family to wake smelling.
Watch the sunrise more often.
Kiss the boo boos on the inside and the outside.
Read the important stuff.
Let "I love you." be the last words from my lips every single night.
From my heart,
Susan
So... what's on your not-to-be-forgotten list? Mine is growing already...
and that's just fine with me.
