Finding Joy

When life gets crazy and I am feeling overwhelmed,
sometimes all it takes to get my mind back on track
is a quick glimpse of one of my kids. 

Today it was Ellie. 
She was getting ready for school
and just couldn't help but
stop to admire her reflection in the mirror. 

When I look in the mirror,
I see all of the things I wish I could improve--
the wrinkles, freckles, gray hair, the extra pudge around my middle. 

But for Ellie, the glimpse in the mirror was pure joy. 
Joy to see the color combination of her chosen outfit,
joy to see the way her homemade headband looked in her hair,
and joy that she was about to go off to school for the day.

I can't make the mirror make me look as young and cute as Ellie,
but I can look in the mirror and instead of seeing the faults,
look for the joys in my life. 

The joy of having a body that is healthy.
The joy of being busy and engaged.
The joy of having a kind and wonderful husband who cares for me.
The joy of watching our five children grow and learn and develop into pretty awesome people.
The joy of living in a free and beautiful land. 
The joy of being right here where I am today.


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"While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about."
~Angela Schwindt