Kelle, Author at Enjoying the Small Things

today’s entry, october 16, in my simple abundance daybook (sarah ban breathnach…buy it. it’s profound in the enjoying-the-small-things kind of way)…

ceremonials for common days

“there are numerous holidays throughout the year, falling just when we need cheering up. we respond to them as if company’s come to call, bringing out our special dishes, linens, crystal, flowers, candles…”

however…

“we actually do most of our living among the common days, taking them for granted just the way we do people we love. yet myriad occasions during the course of each day cry out for consecration.”

which got me thinking…

whilst i gush about harvest decorations and upcoming christmas rituals–(and, don’t get me wrong, i went to costco today and they have christmas trees up….CHRISTMAS TREES!! and velvet christmas ribbon…and snowmen for the mantle…and toys…and walking up and down the aisles with my little knowing she’s old enough to really enjoy it all this year had me downright giddy in the heart-crazy-palpitating kind of way)–however, i know it’s all the in between stuff that’s really life, and i want to be remembered for making the everyday stuff–the common day rituals–worthy of that kind of celebration.

“a liturgy of commonplace moments ripe for personal ritual…”

and lest they be overlooked between the more recognized events of, say putting up the tree or watching the thanksgiving day parade…i can’t help but pay homage to the celebratory events of common life today….

my first cup of coffee in the morning in my favorite mug…saving for a long-desired purchase and finally being able to buy it…hearing the sound of brett’s footsteps enter the laundry room after a long day at work and watching lainey run to meet him…feeling more confident than i’ve ever felt at twenty-nine…having a good cry…jumping right into conversation when my sister calls without even a hello…dancing to a good song in the car…rocking a footy-jammied baby…playing tug-of-war with the dogs…coloring with sidewalk chalk in the driveway…a bowl of cereal before bed…snail mail in a colored envelope that stands out among the rest…eating popcorn at austyn’s football games…sunsets…tomato soup and grilled cheese…reading my dad’s comments on my blog…the way my mom still calls me “pumpkin”…slow-cooked oatmeal with dried cherries…my camera…brett lookin’ all cute in a tight black t-shirt…brunch with my girlfriends…samantha brown’s voyages on the travel channel…mopping my kitchen floor…crockpot dinners (dot, i promise…more recipes to come…now get back to your bold & the beautiful)…afternoons in barnes & noble…when i see my brother’s name on “incoming call”…ups pulling up to my driveway with a package…baby fingerprints all over my windows–and not caring one bit…bubble baths…having best friends for across-the-street neighbors…greek salads…candles…lainey’s sweet baby breath…sliding into clean sheets at night.

“there is no shortage of common day ceremonies waiting to be enjoyed…only weary imaginations in need of inspirational transfusions.”

loving our common little life tonight…

(go #13!)…what i love most about austyn’s games: watching brett be all proud. i arrived tonight right after an awesome play austyn made, and in verbally replaying it, brett looked down, smiled and said, “look, i have goosebumps.” i love what a good daddy he is.