I’m getting tired.
On Saturday, I dragged myself to Wal-Mart, three kids in tow, to shop for Sunday dinner and this next week’s groceries. Throughout the store I chanted,
“This too shall pass. This too shall pass.”
along with
“Today is not forever. Today is not forever.”
I tried to deep breathe as my kids whined and begged for Go-gurts, marshmallows, and Pillsbury crescent rolls, pulled food off the shelves, and jumped on and off the cart. As we left the store, I opened a bag of Oreos and downed five before we left the Wal-Mart parking lot. Later that night, after the kids were in bed, I walked into the kitchen to prepare my favorite chocolate pie for Sunday dinner. I looked around with heavy eyelids, turned off the lights, and went to bed. I couldn't do it. Turns out, it didn't matter anyway.
This Sunday we had a fun and relaxing dinner with The S. family. Mr. S. visits our home once a month as part of our church’s "Home Teaching" program. Mrs. S. worked in our church’s nursery when Jack and Rock were younger and has a great rapport with them. Many years ago, I taught their daughter piano lessons. Their teen-age sons are good-looking, athletic, kind boys who can hold an intelligent conversation with adults and look you in the eyes.
Just plain good people.
For the meal, I made a chicken crock-pot dish known as “Heavenly Chicken” served over angel hair pasta, sweet potato casserole, and parmesan rolls. These recipes are so easy I can whip them out quickly without a cue card. The S. family brought a fruit plate and dip. Lacking dessert, my husband cut up some of his amazing homemade caramel and nobody missed the chocolate pie.
Between our two families, I needed to seat nine people, so I set up a kids’ table. Kate (7) was a little big for the miniature chairs, but Jack and Rock fit it perfectly. It wasn’t long before the kids finished their food and joined the big people by sitting on our laps. All three broke out their usual questions:
What is your favorite candy?
What is your favorite restaurant?
What’s your favorite movie?
The S. family stayed a few hours talking around the kitchen table and then drove off while my kids stood on the front lawn and waved at their car. In spite of my exhaustion, all I could think as I scraped the food off the plates, wrapped the leftovers in foil, and wiped countertops was,
“I like those people.”
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