I had it but now it is gone

Balance that is. It does exist, my friend. I have actually seen it. Twice in the past 72 hours. Where did it go?

Saturday was the most peaceful day we have had in a very long time. The Heavens opened up, the sun was a little brighter, music played aloud and the birds sang sweeter that day. It happened again last night - for a brief moment.

I was pondering this today as I listened to Rowdy's screeching because HE wanted to be Spiderman - not his playmate - and Petunia told me the umpteenth fact about Papillions she has learned. What was it that made Saturday and the brief moment last night so sweet?

Focus. That must be it. Saturday, we completely focused on our family. We spent quality time together all day. No, all the time we spent together wasn't exactly "fun" but it was done together. We all cleaned the house together Saturday afternoon. Fun? No, but certainly time well spent together. After dinner, we took Scout and Waylon to the neighborhood pond for a swim. Are wet, stinky dogs cooped up in the back of a car pleasant? Most certainly not. However, the time we spent taking turns throwing sticks for Scout to fetch and watching the dogs play, certainly was. Just spending time alone with my husband and children was so satisfying for me.

Last night it was the same thing. Dad had a late meeting so it was just the kids and I. Again ... focus. I focused on them from the moment Petunia got out of school until the moment they went to bed. No gourmet meal was cooked and no chore was done. We gave each other our undivided attention all evening. The sweetest part of the night was sitting up in the playroom listening to Petunia read a book to Rowdy. Rowdy was actually listening and asking sweetly to see each picture. Petunia just as sweetly offered the picture after each page. Oh, what a blessing.

So, here we are on Tuesday night and the chaos has returned. Dinner is started. I'm playing referee for Rowdy and his playmate. Petunia is diligently working on a "report" for Dad outlining the finer points of why she needs a lapdog. There are piles of laundry on the dining room table, a wet load in the washer (which might be a little moldy by now) and another in the dryer. Oh well ... my world has welcomed me back.