Extraordinary

Tonight I read an article by a woman named Heather Lende. She talked about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. I loved this statement! It truly inspires me. I have found that on an average, ordinary day it can be very busy around here. Rick has school and has to study. One of the kids is sick or has an appointment. Maggie has school or Ricky is tearing up the house. Life happens and the day gets by us. There are some days it hits bedtime and I wonder where the day has gone. Although I usually feel accomplished on those days I sometimes wonder what I have missed along the way.

Today held one of those moments that was extraordinary. After living through the winter from hell, the weather finally gave us a gift. The temperature was mid-50's and the sun was shining. Now there is still a significant amount of snow and ice on the ground even though it felt like spring had sprung. Even with the snow mounds, Maggie and I decided we needed to enjoy the fresh air and we were bringing Ricks along for the ride. They put on boots and out we went. It was wet and muddy but the kids loved getting to run around. They explored the snow and shoveled it from here to there. There was a lot of puddle jumping and Ricks even decided he would try sitting down in the middle of one. That extraordinary moment came when Ricky and Maggie were jumping in a puddle and making "snow soup". The sun was shining and they were laughing. I felt a peace come over me and a happiness so huge fill my heart. This moment was what life, to me, is all about.

I have many a bad day or moment. I don't always have the perspective that looks for the silver lining. Some days it is a fight to see the positive. But what a blessing are the days I notice the small miracles and extraordinary moments. It is those memories that keep me going on the gray days. It is those memories that strengthen my "life line" to God. And it those memories that remind me that I am right where I need to be!