one at a time
January 23, 2017 § 2 Comments
Before we were a family of four, I drafted lists of good intentions for who I would be when we were no longer three. At the very top of my list was a pledge to set aside time to devote to each child – separately. One at a time.
I understood that I was better when my attention wasn’t divided, but I could not yet know how I would grow into another version of myself; that I would find beauty in the chaos of both children unraveling my frayed sense of order. More importantly, I did not anticipate the ways they would complete one another.
Last Thursday, our children sharing cookies after an evening band performance, the conversation overlapped in a family shorthand of movie quotes and comedy skits. These moments of frenetic stillness, times when the dishes stay put and we linger unhurried in the noise of our thoughts, these are the reasons I’ve returned to a commitment of fewer distractions, less multitasking, and uncluttered weekends. Singular conversations and collective contentment.
Small moments, together.
One at a time.
scribblechic 
Ambitious goal! My parents had six children and I don’t think time alone was in their heads–ever:). Love that you are so intentional about your family.
Thanks, Kay. A big family sounds wonderful, too. For all the times I planned individual time, some of my favorite memories are the unplanned togetherness.