Throwback Thursday :: When I Meet Them There

Originally posted 9/17/11

I'm realizing that my days around here seem to run together.
Ordinary moments unfold around me daily
and I need to stop and relish in them.
One day, my boys will be out living life
and I will miss these everyday experiences.

So, I am taking the time to document
the simple moments that pass between us.
I'm calling this little collection of memories...

If you read my column a few weeks ago,
Zen and the Art of Motherhood
then you already know that
I went to LOVE BEYOND LIMITS:
The Spiritual Practice of Parenting
with Zen Buddhist priest and author Karen Maezen Miller
(I just copied and pasted that btw)

Miller quoted my favorite Rumi quote-
"Out beyond the ideas of the final way and the only way
there is a dreamy field.
I'll meet you there."

She said that scholars and philosophers
were always debating where that dreamy field was.
Was it the heavens, in our hearts, in our minds?

She said that she believed that that field existed
in that place early in the morning when you
hear a little voice calling out "Mama!?"
That moment when you meet your child with groggy eyes
and they smile when they see you, that is the dreamy field.

I decided to start collecting the
moments in my life
where I dwell in that dreamy field with my children.

As we drive to school
and have wonderful
and imaginative conversations
through the rear view mirror.

I just love the creativity and trust
that we have in each other as
we make up stories
or talk about life.

When my little one
follows me into the laundry room
and "helps" me put clothes in the dryer.

He says "Thank you, sir!"
as I hand him the wet clothes.
It's the sweetest thing.

When I take a moment to sit at the table and
help Griffin with his homework.
I can feel his little spirit
thanking me for taking the time
to stop and help him when he needs it.

Those moments when Koen
feels so big as he "helps" daddy
with an outdoor project.

I can see him learning to be strong
and handy around the house,
juts like Roger.

That dreamy field is all around us
as we sit together and read bedtime stories
Koen literally tries to climb into the book
and fly the rocket ship sometimes.

Playing airplane
is such a thrill.
There is so much freedom in pretending to fly.
The joy of being silly is contagious.

Perhaps my most treasured time of day
is sitting at the foot of Griffin's bed
and telling him bedtime stories.

Even though I'm usually tired
and grumpy around the edges,
I feel so privileged to watch him
as his drifts off to sleep.

My days are spent weaving in and out
of that dreamy field.