anew

I haven't blogged in five years. 

Five years. A lot has changed. 

We adopted a son. We moved twice. We put the kids in public school. Then Covid happened. 

With the shelter-in-place order, we spent more time at home than ever. For an introvert like me, it was a much needed reprieve from a busy life filled with classes, games, sleepovers, dinners, and endless errands.   That time gave me a taste of a slow life. We had late mornings, slow breakfasts, lots of quiet time, lots of long walks, much time in The Word, evenings with movies and popcorn, nice long baths, and many many home-cooked meals. It's what I didn't know my soul so desperately needed.

Since then, an uneventful summer came and went. Vacations were cancelled, summer camps became a thing to look forward to next year, and we mostly stayed put while venturing out bit by little bit. It was a summer of lots of rest, lots of disappointment and some swimming sprinkled in the middle. 

I had longed for that slowness again. I had missed slow mornings and unhurried days. I have decided that I can still have that. We can still have that. Amidst the rush and busyness of each day, each meeting, each game, and each meal, each chore is the chance to experience slow intentional living. I long for it. My soul needs it, now more than ever. 

This is the time to slow down. In the midst of the chaos of our lives, there is a space for stillness and rest. A cup of coffee can become a ritual. A homemade dinner can be an event. Laundry can even be a relaxing task.

I'm figuring out this life. I'm working towards slow. I'm taking in each letter on the page, each chirp in the air, each spoonful of a hearty meal, and learning slow. Follow along if you like. 

spaghetti squash with creamy garlic Tuscan salmon with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes