A Soft Place to Land

A recent conversation with a fellow school Mom had me thinking....

She said, while she may be stressed out, overwhelmed at the Christmas season and all that she must do to be prepared, she insisted that her goal is and has always been, to be a "soft place to land".

I nodded in agreement as I understand how this month can get a tad crazy, and it IS overwhelming to ensure all in the home, not only understand the miracle of Christmas, but to bring to life all the nuances that create those special Christmas memories.

She said, even in the craziness, she knows what her family still needs, and it's a place to come home to that is love, that is acceptance, that is comfort. Her "soft place to land" was her home, was her own softer demeanor, her own love and willing arms to comfort.

I sat and thought about that for a while.

Am I a "soft place to land" for my family to come home to? Am I accepting of who they are, willing to embrace even the weaknesses that can drive me crazy? Am I loving and sincere and a cushion when the world can break their heart?

How I prepare my home for Christmas is simply the external witness of how I prepare my heart for this season. Am I ready to be a "soft place" for even the Baby Jesus to rest?

On this day, we celebrate my Serious' birthday, 8 years old. And as 8 years old marks the age of First Communions and celebrating the gift that is the Eucharist, I sit, today, with a few minutes I have for reflection and realize, a culmination of pieces to a puzzle.

This Christmas season we celebrate the gift of life, human and divine. We celebrate, too the possibility of our eternal life, now that Jesus has been born. We, also, celebrate Serious' life, her birthday, and in a special way, I can see such wisdom in the timing of things.

She is preparing her heart too, for Jesus in the Eucharist, a "soft place for Him", as she continues to go regularly to confession and early morning Mass with her brother. She amazes me, as she takes her first bold steps in taking charge over her own soul, not even with a shred of trepidation. She is confident and sure, and I absolutely love that gift she owns.

She's a thoughtful girl, deep in her actions, and always ready to set herself aside. And today, we celebrate her, the gift that she has been to our lives..... As I make more efforts to be a softer place for those around me, I learn from my daughter, as she has prepared a delicate manger, each piece of her heart layed out for the Baby King to rest His head upon.

Lord, I pray this day, this year, that you bless our little girl with countless gifts of grace, that she may always know the One who will never set her aside, who will never leave her, never abandon her, and will join her in a few short weeks, in living a human existence. Take this child, Lord, for I know you have great plans for her. I, as her mother, shred my heart for her, so that she too, has a soft place to land.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize. It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over. Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection. But that's not all. It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on. Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right. With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well.

Words Can Hurt

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word,

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick. Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass. For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving. He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me. I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom

S.tay A.t H.ome M.om at Work

Search This Blog