Monday, October 18, 2010

Joy

The other day Jeremiah and I bought Elijah a new set of sheets. When we came home I ran them through the washer and dryer. At bedtime while Jeremiah was dressing Elijah in his PJ's, I made up his bed with his new sheets, white with multi-colored stars.

When Elijah was finished being dressed and spied his new sheets, his whole face lit up with a giant grin. His tiny toddler fingers came up to his mouth and garbled Elijah language flew out of his perfect toddler mouth:

"New bed for Lijah!?"
"All for Lijah?"
"Not my berfday!"

He settled down in his new sheets, pleased as a plump round peach. How could such a simple thing as new sheets bring him such joy? Where do I get some of that?

I have been thinking about it ever since.

Today while listening to my usual rainy day songlist something hit me in the back of the head with a strange violent blow. Lots of things bring me joy, I just don't realize it. I'm too busy looking for the next bit of excitement, wonderment or entertainment to appreciate the bits and pieces of perfection I'm getting everyday.

Joy came into my heart listening to my song list, Ben Folds singing about a sad man, maybe himself, maybe not. Bob Dylan singing about the simple way his woman has brought out the real man inside of him. A melancholy girl singing about a melancholy boy, his mouth, his eyes, his body.

Joy came into my heart laying in a shadow filled room with a man with dark hair and an easy smile. His warm fingers on my bare hip. His warm breath on the back of my head. Quiet.

Joy came into my heart this morning when Elijah said 'Thank you Momma' as plain as day.

What do I have to complain about? Nada. Niets. Rien. Nichts. Niente.

Nothing at all.

Also bringing me joy; finishing Steam Me Up Kid's order. See it at my new site Ultra Cute Crochet!

8 comments:

Vic said...

I liked this, Erin.

It's the slowing down and seeing what's in front of you that's the trick.
For me today it's the smell of clean air after a little rain.

And candy corn. :)

Miss Yvonne said...

Love this! And also candy corn.

Anonymous said...

How sweet! AND candy corn!

Logical Libby said...

I needed to read something like this today. And now I'm going to go change my sheets, because you have reminded me how much I love clean sheet day.

steff said...

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
CANDY CORN.

very sweet story and too true. im always forgetting about the simple bits of happiness and instead focus on all the big worries in my life.

ps - is 28 too old to wear a kitty-cat eared beanie? bc i really want one.

Elly Lou said...

New sheets rule. If only because they don't yet smell like my husband's ball sweat.

Makes me want to sit and listen to that Ben Fold's song "Luckiest." Thanks for that.

Angela Christensen said...

Love this!
Also: DO NOT TELL ANYONE, but my Christmas order arrived yesterday and I am SO THRILLED!! If you're reading this comment and you don't know what to give someone you LOVE for a gift this holiday season, pick your favorite animal and get Erin to make you a hat with ears. That's all I can say in public for now, but photos WILL come after the holidays. Going to UCC to post essentially the same comments for your buying public, but honestly, Erin, thank you for the beautiful work, the quality, and the love in every stitch.
Angie at Eat Here

Deidra said...

This is adorable. :)