Leaning Forward

One of my wise sister-in-laws said this, "if we lean forward too much, the rug of gratitude comes out from under us."  Speak it, Sister.

The truth of this has hit me over the head multiple times in the past few weeks as I "lean forward" into what is next - job, home, family, travel, passion, work, path.  Fortunately, with this thought in my head, I can actually feel the rug slipping out from under me when I am leaning just a little bit too far.  And I stop.  I sit down.  In the mess.  In the moment.  And I scoot back into the present.

Thankfully, besides these wise words, I have two little buddhas running (or scooting) around my home demanding presence amidst their almost constant activity.  My three year old asks me to sit on the couch with her when she wakes up in the morning, "come sit with me," she beckons.  I follow her directions these days rather than making up excuses about lunch-making, coffee drinking, showering.  My one year old tugs on my pants in the kitchen, asking me to pick her up.  To look at her face.  To teach her something or to just be together in this moment, whatever it is: cooking bacon; cleaning the floor; folding the laundry.  I head her directions as well and gaze.  And gratitude naturally fills my body from my eyes to my toes.

So, here are some of the things that I am grateful for these days:
* soft breathing in my ear.  Anytime of day.
*  holding your hand in the middle of the night; knowing that I am not alone.
*  sitting on the couch.  Reading a book.  Or not.  Your body snuzzled into mine.
*  the girls running (scooting) when the door opens and you appear.
*  laughter.
*  all of the time that I get to spend in the bathroom.
*  walking to school and saying hi to the robins.
*  how you ruff and rub your belly (not at the same time.)
*  quiet dinner with Matt.
*  how excited you get about almost anything.
*  dancing.
*  the spaces in between....

And what is it that you are grateful for?  Today?  Right now?