gratitude…

A // W // F

  
Tonight.

It’s late. The rain falls on the house for hours without stopping — a slow, steady rain. The kind that brings the world to life.

Meanwhile I’m here inside, listening to the drumming on the roof. 

The dinner guests have gone. 

The dishes have been cleaned, the wine glasses placed back on the shelf, upside down, glinting in the yellow light.

After all the laughter, it’s quiet, and suddenly I have space to draw a breath and take it in.

And I realize: it’s enough. 

The echoes of conversation and laughter.  The fading image of myself with my head on a friend’s shoulder.  My husband, now asleep in the next room, his breath easy and slow. 

The summer, so wet and green and full. 

And oh, God, there is so much more I want to build and be and do. But if this is all I ever have time for — well, then…

It’s enough. ā¤

49 Comments

  5. Lovely. Once again, your words spoke to me. I have trouble reminding myself that *it* IS enough – all of it – and *I* am enough, too. There are so many things that occupy my mind in a constant, endless stream. There are always things I want to do, places I want to go, as I cling and climb and scramble for the light. I get stuck in a way of thinking that there are all these things I have to fix or learn or polish or work on so that I can be the better person that I want to be, but it’s just impossible! It’s ridiculous! There’s never enough time! If God wanted me to do all of that, he would have made my days infinitely long. So, *this* must be enough, because this is the time he has given me. I’m laying in bed, early on Saturday morning, listening to the rain, and thinking about all the things to do. Thank you for reminding me to just be still.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I completely understand; SO been there … I love that image of you, being still for awhile … I don’t think any of us can stay content for always, which is what make the moments of stillness and satisfaction so very precious. Enjoy that rain and soak it all in? šŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Sometimes rainy weekends are such a gift. In an odd way, so are tummy aches. I am gifted with both today, and the result is that I released all my expectations of *productivity* and am slowly sipping up these little pauses. The hum of the dryer upstairs, the ticking of the clock on the wall, the rustling of the leaves outside, the feel of my fleece blanket and the smooth pages of my book, the ripples across the surface of the pond outside. Hoping that you are having a lovely weekend, my friend! ā¤ļø

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. Oh, goodness … All that sounds absolutely beautiful. As I type this, I’m watching a great rush of a rainstorm sweep across the little valley behind the house… Love these early-summer storms.

          Thank you for sharing your moment of peace with me. ā¤

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

    1. Thank you, sweet Miriam … And indeed! So much truth here — we all need to take gratitude with both hands when it comes, and store it up for the harder days. It’s truly precious and beautiful… You, too! šŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you, fellow artist soul! You strike me as a grateful person, too — I think it takes a degree of gratitude to notice the smaller wonders, like the flowers and leaves and shells that your paintings depict with such great love and care.

      Keep on being you, lady! šŸ™‚

      Like

      Reply

    1. I couldn’t agree more with your words here … Life can be hard sometimes, but there is just so much magic and wonder for those of us willing to look. ā¤

      Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing your positive perspective today. Have a peaceful and happy Sunday! šŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Enough as in “good”? Or enough as in “I’ve had enough”? That is an important distinction. If the former (suffisant) and not the latter (Ƈa suffit!) it should bring a faint smile to anyone’s lips. šŸ™‚ And… yet… it does not impede building, and doing and being. šŸ˜‰

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. What an interesting angle I hadn’t thought of … My goodness! Enough as in “satisfying.” šŸ™‚

      I’m in a place where I’m learning to be content… Accepting the goodness and fullness of the present moment even when the things I most long for are still left undone.

      I guess you could say I’m just learning to accept myself as unfinished business. It isn’t always easy. But it’s good. šŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Another – very – interesting angle, Ashly dear. Unfinished business? I guess we all are. (Some, most don’t realize that) Or maybe, should we say, we are all “work-in-progress”? šŸ˜‰

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

Leave a comment