One of the things i've learned in the past year is the depth and power and beauty of the little things.
yes, i love Freedom Birthdays at Sari Bari.
yes, i love graduation parties at Sari Bari.
yes, i love when we go on our annual Sari Bari Retreat.
yes, i love our Christmas Party.
of course i love these things. i love to celebrate. they're beautiful times. it's the time we set aside to look back on where we were, and rejoice that we aren't there anymore.
but increasingly i love the mundane at Sari Bari (i became aware of this shift about a year ago when we were making a photo album for Kyle and one of my favorite pictures in the whole album was this strange snapshot of the verandah at SB...with the broken chair in the corner, and the door we use as a backdrop for photo shoots, the generator for when power goes out, and some bricks).
i love how the mundane marks a depth of relationship, of knowing and vulnerability. jokes and laughter, snacks shared at tea time, always enough food at lunch so no one goes hungry. another request that i dance, or sing a song. the harassment when i cut my hair, the celebration when i put a little effort into my appearance ("oh Moshumi, today you look like a movie star). the question or statement that could come at any minute, "Oh Moshumi, I have a word for you." (which is the cue that they have a request, or a problem they'd like to process). it's Shibu knowing that i talk to my parents every Monday, and asking me about it. it's the ladies knowing what i like to eat (and don't like).
The mundane.
The everyday.
The little things.
This is what i treasure.
This is what i love.
I thought about this while i was in the States too.
This is why i loved my last week in America so much.
I'd been busy and traveling...and had so many great conversations and interactions with so many people that i loved (which was a privilege...and i'm so thankful for those opportunities, and that time). And then my last week at home was just filled with normal things.
Mundane.
Everyday.
Nothing spectacular.
it was like i got to enter into a normal week in America with my family and friends.
Danae and i spent a day together doing all the little things we would have done together if i lived in MI. I got to hang out with Ang and Kevin, and go to dinner and watch baseball. I went to Bock Family Lunch (it happens every Wednesday whether i'm there or not). Coffee with Grandpa. Dinner with my other Grandma and Grandpa. Bike rides. dinner around the kitchen counter. Coffee with Betsy, breakfast with Anna and Jeff...
the little things.
un-spectaular moments...that point to something much bigger.
they point to knowing, and being known.
no celebrations.
no big plans.
nothing out of the ordinary.
just the pure joy of being with people who have chosen to know me, and who i have chosen to know.
the un-spectacular display of great, and deep love.
that is why i love the little things.
yes, i love Freedom Birthdays at Sari Bari.
yes, i love graduation parties at Sari Bari.
yes, i love when we go on our annual Sari Bari Retreat.
yes, i love our Christmas Party.
of course i love these things. i love to celebrate. they're beautiful times. it's the time we set aside to look back on where we were, and rejoice that we aren't there anymore.
but increasingly i love the mundane at Sari Bari (i became aware of this shift about a year ago when we were making a photo album for Kyle and one of my favorite pictures in the whole album was this strange snapshot of the verandah at SB...with the broken chair in the corner, and the door we use as a backdrop for photo shoots, the generator for when power goes out, and some bricks).
i love how the mundane marks a depth of relationship, of knowing and vulnerability. jokes and laughter, snacks shared at tea time, always enough food at lunch so no one goes hungry. another request that i dance, or sing a song. the harassment when i cut my hair, the celebration when i put a little effort into my appearance ("oh Moshumi, today you look like a movie star). the question or statement that could come at any minute, "Oh Moshumi, I have a word for you." (which is the cue that they have a request, or a problem they'd like to process). it's Shibu knowing that i talk to my parents every Monday, and asking me about it. it's the ladies knowing what i like to eat (and don't like).
The mundane.
The everyday.
The little things.
This is what i treasure.
This is what i love.
I thought about this while i was in the States too.
This is why i loved my last week in America so much.
I'd been busy and traveling...and had so many great conversations and interactions with so many people that i loved (which was a privilege...and i'm so thankful for those opportunities, and that time). And then my last week at home was just filled with normal things.
Mundane.
Everyday.
Nothing spectacular.
it was like i got to enter into a normal week in America with my family and friends.
Danae and i spent a day together doing all the little things we would have done together if i lived in MI. I got to hang out with Ang and Kevin, and go to dinner and watch baseball. I went to Bock Family Lunch (it happens every Wednesday whether i'm there or not). Coffee with Grandpa. Dinner with my other Grandma and Grandpa. Bike rides. dinner around the kitchen counter. Coffee with Betsy, breakfast with Anna and Jeff...
the little things.
un-spectaular moments...that point to something much bigger.
they point to knowing, and being known.
no celebrations.
no big plans.
nothing out of the ordinary.
just the pure joy of being with people who have chosen to know me, and who i have chosen to know.
the un-spectacular display of great, and deep love.
that is why i love the little things.
1 comment:
Mel,
I L-O-V-E-D this post.
I am looking forward to more little things where I live now. i miss them. you reminded me i need to start a list of the little things i love where I am now.
Melissa
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