Thursday, August 23, 2012

Slowing Down



With my first knock down episode of mastitis since having Emily (almost a year), I was reminded once again of what is important in this short life we are given.

It certainly is not how much canning I get done this season, how many knitting projects are finished, nor how much money can be made.

How I just have to stop sometimes - stop and have a cup of coffee and a slice chocolate chip zucchini bread, stop and give a family member a compliment, stop and remember to get together a gift for a friend.

What matters are the relationships I have - between my husband, family and friends and what how my children will remember their mother.  Will they remember me as being grumpy and hurried trying to get a million things done at once? or Will they remember me as a mother that worked hard but always had time to stop and listen, read a story or play a game?

  I want to be the mother in the second option and sometimes spending the day in bed realizing that life continues to go on with or without me - is the best medicine of all.

18 comments:

  1. Feel better soon! Sometimes a day or two off is a real blessing in disguise. Take care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh sweetie, I am so sorry to hear you have mastitis, that is not fun.
    Life on this earth is so short and the chance we are given to make relationships isn't long either. Like you I want to be remembered as a mom who smiled, laughted, loved, had warm meals on the table [these boys of mine like to eat] and took the time each day to make sure the members of my family know I love them.
    Hope you feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. rest and breathe! it may seem silly, but try cabbage leaves in your bra for nursing pain.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Tonya, sometimes it does take something physical to force us to slow down!
    I have been thinking very similar thoughts lately- I had gotten myself all wound up with all I have to do, stressing about doing it- and I realized I wasn't being the kind of Mama I want to be. I too have slowed down!
    Love, Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  5. So well said Tonya! I've been getting this message a lot lately too.

    Love to you,
    Taryn

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great philosophy. Enjoy the interuptions of your little ones because far too soon your little ones will be gone and you will wish they would interupt your day! Hope you are feeling better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Speaking as a Mom with grown kids I agree with you whole-heartedly and wish I could go back and change a few, make that a lot, of things about their growing up years.

    I'm so happy for your family that you've recognized it early on and can have those blessedly happy, if lean, years with your kids. They won't remember the things they did without, but will remember the times you stopped just to listen or play.

    Blessings,

    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tonya,

    I am praying for you and hope you are feeling better very soon..

    saw this and thought of you...

    http://purplepearorganics.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/birthday-parties-at-farm.html

    ~~Renee

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ouch! Feel better soon! Rest, lots of fluids, love, and chocolate zucchini bread! Sending you good thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well said. Feeling the same today...

    ReplyDelete
  11. "What matters are the relationships I have - between my husband, family and friends and what how my children will remember their mother. Will they remember me as being grumpy and hurried trying to get a million things done at once? or Will they remember me as a mother that worked hard but always had time to stop and listen, read a story or play a game?"

    This is SO TRUE! I want to be remembered for taking the time out to stop, be still, and listen also...

    {{hugs}} I hope you feel better soon. Take care Tonya...enjoy your babies from you bed. They will be more than happy to just "hang out" with a bed-ridden mama for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for sharing this. It's a reminder I need in my life right now, too. I fight it tooth and nail, but it is so true.

    Best wishes to you that you'll be feeling better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  13. well said and be good to yourself. These things often help bring us back to where we need to be. Be gentle and give yourself some time to recover, everything else will wait.

    ReplyDelete
  14. thanks for that reminder...I tend to be a list maker and task doer...but you're right, the relationships are what matter and how well we loved. I hope you're back on your feet again soon. Take good care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well said! Hope you are better soon - I know how hard it can be to stop and heal. Blessings to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the reminder that it is good to slow down sometimes . . . I hope you get well, soon!

    ReplyDelete
  17. mastitis is no fun at all, sorry to hear it has found you.

    wishing you speedy healing and way to go for listening to the subtle messages of the need to slow down. you are right, the rest can wait.

    ReplyDelete