Found: The Meaning of Family

My house very well could have been hit by a bomb. There’s boxes, candy wrappers and toys strewn about every room. Board games clutter the kitchen counters, half eaten birthday cake is wrapped and sitting amongst a cluster of crumbs, the counters are barely visible through Christmas gift bags, gift boxes, clothes and child / baby necessities. I haven’t been able to walk through my living room in four days with out having to avoid toys as if they were land mines strewn about; we’re still clad in pajamas as we have been well into the afternoon most days.

The children have had no routine. Hudson is currently sleeping in my bed, arms delicately resting above his head while a light snore escapes his lips, completely and utterly oblivious to the world around him – for the past two hours!

Carter fell asleep on my brother’s sofa last night – the first time in his years of life that he has slept on a couch. Content and comfortable, he cuddled a stuff animal while we talked loudly above Dirty Jobs,  laughing and enjoying family around him. For the past two nights, he has slept in beds which were not his own. For the past two nights he has slept in his underwear without an incident!

Tons of food, even more cleaning and none of it has been done in my own house. We’ve been traveling the same small circuit over the past four days, with more to come later this evening when family comes from out of town for a friendly game of Poker. The children will once again be consumed with lights, laughter, food and family while they crash in a different bed once again tonight.

I have yet to take a photo of the memories we’ve been creating, instead of sitting on the sidelines with my camera in hand, I have been taking part and committing everything to memory rather then digital reminders. Even though I feel a twinge of guilt that I will not have my photos to share with family and friends, there are others to share with me instead.

As I sit on the sofa amidst pillows, blankets, boxes and toy parts while I try and gather a few thoughts, I have an overwhelming sense of love and family. Carter yells for his dad to crash cars with him, while the dog looks for a save spot to snooze. The cat creeps by hoping to avoid the dog and I sip my coffee as though it’s a life source meant to be savoured.

Thoughts of Mike’s layoff and impending job search have been moved to the back burner while we enjoy what really matters. Our loved ones; and even though there is a great possibility of troubled financing times looming over us, I have never felt so wealthy.

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Tagged as: christmas, family, holidays, love