“Wherever you are - be all there.” Jim Elliot

Holding tightly onto Jayden’s handlebars I check both directions of Haig Highway.

“All clear!”

I smile at Jayden and he smiles back. Justin squirms in the baby carrier tied to my chest and I pull him snugly against me with my free hand. We’ve just come back from dinner at the nearby A&W and then a stop at the school playground. It’s 5:30 p.m. and although the sky is still blue the temperature is beginning to drop.

Crossing the road together I take a moment to explain to Jayden again the importance of checking both directions before crossing any street, road or highway. As soon as we reach the other side, Jayden pushes my hand away and pedals off.

“Slow down, wait for Mommy!” I yell after him and he reluctantly slows to a stop.

On the side of the road, by a row of mailboxes, a black truck is parked. Recognizing the occupants I make my way over for a chat. Inevitably the conversations turns to Haiti and once again I hear the familiar questions. “Do you miss Haiti? When do you go back?”

Since I’ve heard these questions so often now, I easily form my standard response.

“We hope to go back in July. There are definitely things I miss about Haiti, but when I am there I miss things about Canada too. If I strictly focus on the things I miss, I won’t be happy anywhere!”

Later after bidding them goodbye and walking the final distance home I remember the quote from Jim Elliot a friend shared with me. “Wherever you are – be all there.” I’ve taken that quote to heart since I know first hand that wishing you were somewhere else just makes you miserable.

For me being “all there” means appreciating what I have at any given moment. Right now that means a tummy full of tasty fast food, sidewalks for walking and biking, lungs full of fresh country air, and a beautiful view of the snow capped mountains.

Motherhood

Icy rain drips from the gutters as a brisk wind shakes the evergreens outside our living room window. Inside, the blazing fireplace fills the room with its warmth.

Snuggling Justin in my arms I kiss his rosy cheeks and gently touch his silky dark hair. He whimpers and wiggles and then closes his eyes and dozes off, completely content.

My gaze shifts to Jayden playing on the carpeted floor. Dinosaurs and train tracks are everywhere. Fresh laundry is piled up on the couch between the pillows, blankets and baby paraphernalia that has once again become part of our lives.

Glancing down, I notice my clothes don't match, I've forgotten to put on socks and I don't remember if I've run a brush through my hair this morning or not.

Snuggling my little baby and watching my big baby playing on the floor I smile happily. The importance of a neat house and matching clothes fade in comparison to the joys of motherhood.

From 2012