This week on Monday musings I’m reflecting on April 2020 and our month at home. April was a month that I could never have imagined living in my wildest dreams. A time when we were ordered to stay at home, not go anywhere, and just spend time being at home. It’s something honestly I don’t think I’ve ever done because I’m such a mover and a go-getter that I spend all my days running around to meetings, appointments, and kids’ activities. And this was a huge wake-up call for me in the season of life to have to sit home and just simply be still. I look at my top nine images from the last month and think of the ways that I’ve been adapting, changing, and renewing my soul. I’m learning to find God in our every day.
- I look for God in the small things that bring joy and remind me of the presence of God in this season. The sunburst through the straws on my morning kitchen table, wildflowers on my walk, the smile of my children, or just the sense that He is present in the simple moments such as folding laundry and cooking dinner. I’ve taken time to slow down, notice the fingerprints of God on my daily life, and really embrace the season of slowness and seeing the He is with me every day.
- I’m also grateful for the slower pace of life and time to rest. I’ve been able to stop, clear my mind, and actually think about things that are important in life. Time to process all of the inputs that I have collected over the past few years. I’m looking at the season to reboot my business and pivot in some areas. I began embracing reading again (real books) and we actually take a Sabbath as a family. Those are things that I’ve always wanted to do, even dreamed about in our prior life, but just never had the time. I’m so grateful for the slower pace and the time to just simply be still and know.
- Renewed connections. Last month was a month of renewed connections. We implemented a weekly Zoom call with our family so that we get a chance to reconnect and see each other’s faces, Brady Bunch style. I’ve been talking to my parents on a more regular basis. With our busy lives, we weren’t connecting as we should and I was the one who probably wasn’t calling as much as I could. Prior to COVID-19, we were talking once every few weeks (at most) and it was usually a rushed call to catch each other up. Now we take time to connect on the phone, talk about the details of our days, and really learn about each other’s lives.
I’ve also received the gift of a renewed connection with my grandmother through written letters. I’ve been writing my grandmother weekly letters since we can not see her in her nursing home, and that renewed connection has brought about a special spirit to the relationship that I just can’t explain.
And finally, the boys are spending more time with their grandparents. Since our days aren’t full running to lacrosse lessons, lacrosse games, and all of the things, we actually have time to send the boys out to their grandparents. They’ve been taking turns spending the night with my parents one at a time, which is building a relationship and memories that they will never forget. As I picked my son up the other day and was talking to him about those experiences, I was telling them he would remember these nights with his grandparents and fishing each morning with his grandpa long after the lacrosse memories had faded.
- The beauty of simple moments. We are intentionally creating moments each day that is different from the other. These unique moments are an attempt to try to make these days not run into each other. Moments stand out, whether it’s camping in the backyard, finding a local place that we haven’t been to a long time to take a hike, or recording a fun new recipe on Aiden’s YouTube Channel. We’re trying to stop and embrace these moments. It’s the moments that you will remember, but the moments that are also unique and shape each day to make it different so that they just don’t run on into one continuous Groundhog Gay.
As I look back on April, I’m grateful for these gifts, gifts that I resisted at first. However, I now realize no matter what happens these are the days that I will remember for the rest of my life and will always treasure at the bottom of my heart.
SENIOR | FAMILY | TEENS| BRANDING
Hello! I am Shelly and I am a small business owner. I’m a brand photographer that helps small businesses tell the story of their brand through high-quality imagery! Through this process, you will learn to tell your story to connect with your clients! Branding sessions give you the tools to position yourself as the go-to professional and shine online!
