An Unexpected Gift

It’s 9:30pm and I just discreetly snapped this photo from my upstairs hallway.

My three kids are downstairs, music blasting way too loud, laughing, and playing a game.

And something occurred to me just now.

It’s not often I get to spend hours doing a puzzle with my oldest child, who is normally off at college.

I don’t usually take a daily walk through the woods with my high school senior son.

My husband, our 11-year-old, and myself are on Day 4 of a marathon card game.

My family is watching too much TV – together.

We are eating too much junk food – together.

And yes, things are stressful right now in these uncertain times. And no doubt, we are going to be getting on each other’s nerves these upcoming weeks. A lot.

But there is nobody I’d rather be stuck with, nobody I’d rather go through hard times with, than this little family of mine.

In this fast-paced world we live in, sometimes family time takes a back seat. Everybody running in different directions with work, school, sports, and friends.

But today, nobody is running anywhere. Today, we have all the time in the world. And so, in the middle of this mess, I see something to be grateful for. This extra time with these kids that grow up all too quickly.

Maybe there’s a lesson we learn here. Maybe something good comes out of a whole lot of bad.

And maybe, when this pandemic is over and we come through this, this world will all be stronger for it – together. ❤️

***Photo posted with sort-of permission from my kids who responded with eye rolls and “Fine, whatever, go ahead, Mom.” 😄