Monday, March 22, 2010

The Adventures of Broccoli



I'm watching them more these days, intentionally stopping my always-important business to just inhale the "mundane" moments that appear when I least expect them. To forget the multiplying mess my table displays. To focus instead upon the play encircling its borders during a Monday lunch.

The personification of broccoli? Really? Have they been doing this stuff all along and I was too busy to notice?


As green florets played freeze tag around the plate before landing on the Ranch-dressing "base," the pony-tail shape of one stalk reminded Blondie of a poem she memorized and then promptly recited to the broccoli audience...with brother's help. {I didn't even know he was listening all those days long ago she spent learning it.}

As for Cupcake, he laughed with delight in between mouthfuls of peanut butter and repeated every word they said.


I just watched. And laughed. And felt the fullness of gratitude well up inside. And then I got my camera.

It won't always be this messy...or this imaginative.

Life bursts forth, like Spring, into every nook and cranny of this season in my life. I'd simply been too much of a grown-up to let go and watch it unfold, too caught up in hurrying and scurrying and tasking...seeing the act of lunch as a chore to complete rather than a sight to behold. Funny what happens when you're not looking.


{And I hereby declare that it is forever okay, constructive even, to play with one's food. Couple that with the not making beds or folding laundry from last week and I am well on my way to mayhem.}


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17 comments:

  1. Love it. I need to remember these moments to keep me from losing my cool in the middle of the night, on the 5th night in a row...

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  2. Don't they just bring out the best in us when we sit and observe? Oh, to have that child like curiosity, humor and , yes, faith again. Thank you.

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  3. Oh, how I wish I could permanently learn this lesson!!! Mothering is the sweetest, most fulfilling, most stressful thing ever!

    A friend (http://donaghuecrew.blogspot.com/) posted this quote on her blog today. It reminds me of the attitude of your blog so I thought I'd share.

    "I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautiful tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my nails from helping weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheek and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived. "
    — Marjorie Pay Hinckley

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  4. Can I come with you? I get stuck so easily in the important business of being a grown-up. I could use a little more playing with my food, I think.

    And it's not just any old mayhem, where you're headed. It's special mayhem. Sounds to me like it's a worthwhile destination. :)

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  5. Beautiful words about living in the moments we too quickly forget or never really enjoy at all!

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  6. The table top (and the precious ones around it)is an absolute kaleidoscope of life in your household! Priceless!

    Love you forever,
    MOM

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  7. i always used to play with my broccoli. always. trees... i called them. mayhem seems to be the perfect little spot to be... lots of love there, for sure :)

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  8. Such a great reminder! Life is happening all around us-I get lost in the laundry piles sometimes, better get out of them and pay attention today! Thanks for sharing this.

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  9. Thank you for writing this. I feel like wayyy to often, I get lost in being a grown up too. Love this post.

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  10. this is awesome! i love the creative writing God has gifted you with!

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  11. This is my life too!! Thanks for the encouragement!

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  12. Mayhem? No, sounds like living life to me and kudos to you for enjoying those moments!

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  13. Is that your school room or your kitchen? I absolutely love that huge chalkboard! Makes me want to draw!

    I am having a "Blue Monday" giveaway. Hope you can pop over and take a look! So nice to visiting your blog today! Have a great Wednesday!

    Stay Cozy, Carrie

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  14. Mayhem is a good thing I think!!!
    Julie
    www.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew

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