Standing in the kitchen, slicing cucumbers fresh from my sweet neighbor's garden, enjoying the citrus smell soaking into my skin as I squeezed juice from lemons and being strangely reminded of dyeing Easter eggs as I measured vinegar. Dashes of salt, pinches of sugar. Relaxing as the sounds of Ben Howard's "Old Pine" filtered through the computer speakers, transporting me to another place. Anticipating the summery char on the grilled chicken and refreshing cucumber salad for dinner. Enjoying the idea that all of my family, after a long month of fragmented togetherness, were all under one roof. Lulu wandered into the kitchen and I picked her up and we slow danced as I told her how I was so sure that God had made her just right.
I live for these moments.
Just minutes later cacophony broke out in the living room and the moment passed. Everyone was sent to their rooms for some "alone time". As I came back downstairs from making sure everyone made it to their rooms without killing each other, I took in what was before me. The house that I had spent four and a half hours cleaning the day before had been completely destroyed. After I recovered from the initial annoyance of my peace and hard work being disturbed, I mentally shrugged it off and decided to not let it negate the goodness I had just experienced.
That's just the way life is.
If we never had those moments where we had to mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually push through, we would never fully understand or appreciate the good that does come into our lives. I had a moment of gratitude for those experiences I have had in my life. Ones that lifted and strengthened me and also the ones that have crushed my heart and soul. Because they have all given me perspective, which I have decided is one of life's most precious gifts.