Inspired by a story that I have just submitted for a university subject, I sat down for a moment and enjoyed a beautiful sunset tonight. It was absolutely magical, but I'm usually far too busy and distracted to enjoy these remarkable moments.
Since we have a rare night at home, I am going to sit down and play game with my children. I will not be distracted by the washing up. I will not get up to fold washing. I will not check e-mails. I will stop and enjoy my children.
Here is the story that I wrote called "Voices". It's simple, perhaps unsophisticated, but it's a reflection of me and my life at the moment.
"Voices"
“The room was too hot last week. My
son doesn’t handle the heat well.”
“I’ll contact the office this
afternoon and see what I can do. He is doing so well in drama class!”
“Thanks for that. If you can just
do something about the heat. See you next week.”
To
Do:
Contact
office
“Slow
down.”
“Mum, there is no food in the
fridge again!”
“I bought milk and bread and cereal
just yesterday! How can there be ‘no food’?”
“I want something more
interesting.”
“Please, you really need to make do
with what we have.”
“When are you going shopping next?”
“I’ll go this afternoon on the way
home.”
To
do: Shopping
List:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies
“Slow
down. Pause.”
***
“Babe, did you pay for that air
filter I bought on ebay?”
“What air filter? What is an air
filter?”
“Oh, c’mon, you remember I told you
about needing an air filter for the Landcruiser!”
“Um, no I don’t.”
“Have you paid for it?”
“I didn’t remember that you asked
me to.”
“Can you please make sure you do it
today? You know we need to get that car fixed.”
“I’ll try to get it done this
afternoon.”
To
do: Shopping:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies
Ebay
“Slow
down. Pause. Exhale.”
***
“Mum, I failed my spelling test.”
“You what?”
“I failed. Only 4 right out of 20.”
“How did this happen? We practiced
those words until late last night!”
“Yeah…but um…”
“You knew them!”
“We practiced an old list. I
accidentally brought home an old list.”
“We what?”
“We practiced the words from week
8.”
“Week 8?”
“My teacher has sent an e-mail with
extra spelling practise. She said you should be spending more time with me on
spelling practise at home or I’ll keep getting behind.”
“I see.”
To do: Shopping
List:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies Panadol
Ebay
Emails
Spelling
“Slow
down. Pause. Exhale. Breathe.”
***
“Mu-u-u-um! There’s a red stain on
my new white shirt!”
“Which white shirt?”
“The one I just got for my
birthday.”
“Oh dear, I must have washed it
with the colours.”
“Mum, I want to wear it tomorrow!”
“I’ll just have to give it a soak
this afternoon.”
“Please make sure you get it out. I
love that shirt!”
To do: Shopping
List:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies Panadol
Ebay Napisan
Emails
Spelling
Soak
Shirt
“Slow
down. Pause. Exhale. Breathe. Stop.”
***
“Darling, when are you going to
come and visit your father and me?”
“Oh, mum, life has been hectic.”
“We hardly ever see any of you.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“What about dinner tonight. Save you having to think about it.”
“I do have a lot to get done.”
“Well, you let me know when you are
free. We want to see you.”
“I promise I’ll let you know.”
To do: Shopping
List:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies Panadol
Ebay Napisan
Emails Coffee
Spelling
Soak
shirt
Visit
mum
“Slow
down. Pause. Exhale. Breathe. Stop. Rest.”
***
“Are you free for Amy’s party
this weekend?”
“Um yes, we should be.”
“Great. She is so excited. We have
chosen a fairy theme!”
“She will love that.”
“Do you mind bringing a couple of
fruit platters?”
“Sure. Watermelon? Rockmelon? Those
sorts of fruits?
“Yes, and she has also asked for
fruit skewers. And she loves strawberries. We have invited about 60 people.”
“Wow. OK. Looking forward to it.
I’ll go to the fruit shop this afternoon.”
To do: Shopping
List:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies Panadol
Ebay Napisan
Emails Coffee
Spelling Fruit
Soak
shirt Skewers
Visit
mum Strawberries
Fruit
Skewers
“Slow
down. Pause. Exhale. Breathe. Stop. Rest. Relax.”
***
“Mum, I need help with this English
assignment.”
“Right, what do you need to do?”
“I’m supposed to go watch a live
show and write a critical review. It can be any show as long as it’s live.”
“What? That’s a bit much. How long
have you got to finish it?”
“It’s due tomorrow.”
“How on earth do they expect us to
organise a trip to the theatre in such a short time!”
“I dunno.”
“When did you get this assignment?”
“I dunno. Maybe week 1.”
“It’s now week 9!”
To do: Shopping
List:
Contact
office Food for boys
Woolies Panadol
Ebay Napisan
Emails Coffee
Spelling Skewers
Soak
shirt Strawberries
Visit
mum Fruit
Fruit
Skewers Chocolate
Library Valium
“Slow
down. Pause. Exhale. Breathe. Stop. Rest. Relax.Enjoy”
***
“Mum, it sounds like there are rats
behind the pantry again.”
“Mum, where are some AAA batteries
for the remote?”
“Mum, I am supposed to have a
graphics calculator for physics.”
“Babe, I just got a fine for an
unregistered trailer. Didn’t you pay it?”
“Mum, I think the dog just got
bitten by a brown snake.”
“Mum, grandma’s tried to call three
times. She sounds angry.”
“Pause.”
“Mum.”
“Mum.”
“Mum.”
“Mum.”
“Mum.”
“Exhale.”
Sinking, swirling, tumbling,
twirling. “Breathe.” Diving
into the depths of desperate insanity. “Stop.”
“Rest.”
“Relax.”
“Enjoy.”
“Live.”
There is a still, small voice telling
you to slow down. Each
moment of the day it is reminding you to exhale.
You need to learn to breathe.
Only you can hear it. Only you can stop.
Only you can find the time to rest.
When you learn to relax,
you will notice a difference. Your eyes will be open and you will truly be able
to enjoy what you have. You
will truly begin to live.
Stop.
Breathe.
Notice the beauty.
Smell the flowers.
Hug
your children.
Kiss
your husband.
Enjoy
life.
