Ordinary Things
Rising in the morning
Getting ready for the day,
Sending children off to school-
Taking time to pray.
Cleaning up the living room
Making up the beds,
Reading to a toddler –
Baking loaves of bread.
Walking to the store to buy
Some simple dinner fare,
Calling friends to share some time
Along with daily cares.
Soon the children tumble in
Full of vibrant play,
Telling how they spent the hours
They have been away.
Ordinary days are filled
With ordinary things
But ordinary feathers,
Form extraordinary wings.
Marion Weinkiper
I first read this poem in 2010 and found it brought me back in time to early parenting days; life seemed so simple then. The sentiment continues to this day. As a grandparent now, I see the life wheel go full-circle seeing our kids raising their kids and tending to the same routines…getting up early to get the kids ready for school and making lunches, making sure they have something in their bellies to tide them over until lunch, driving them to and from school and to all their after school extracurricular activities, tending to household duties, preparing for supper and finally tucking them in for the nite…
It’s a really busy life; I’m almost tired thinking about back-then.
At the time, I longed for the days when our two sons would become a little more independent and parenting responsibilities wouldn’t be so great. As I look back, those were some of the best days of my life. There have been many times that I wished I would have taken more time then to enjoy that season of life a little more lighthearted.
I am sure my sentiment rings true for many others. I loved the days when the kids came home from school with all kinds of exciting stories of how they filled their day; it was a very special bonding time until our home required a two-parent income, as most families do now.
After work, those special conversations would continue at the supper table; this was a daily commitment as a family to spend time together.
As parents, we tried to instill good moral values in their young malleable lives …individualism, manners, respect for others, responsibility, and honesty are a few that come to mind. I know we didn’t do everything right but our motivation was pure and done in-love.
I want to encourage young parents now to enjoy the early days of raising a family and make the time to mentor them in a good way of life so they have the skills and heart they need to do whatever they pursue in life.
Because, even the simple days filled with ordinary things can produce extraordinary ‘wings.’
Young people are our only hope so make sure to invest in their lives while you have the opportunity. Tomorrow comes fast!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
