This morning I got ready to pack my daughter’s lunch. It was mac and cheese day, so I set out a plate, pulled leftover mac and cheese from the fridge, and grabbed a thermos from the lunch-things drawer. Upon opening the thermos, I discovered that last week’s leftover mac and cheese was still in it. Yum.
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As we were driving to school, my daughter asked me if villains lived in our village. When I asked her to clarify, she asked if there were any bad guys in our town. This is the result of Minecraft and various stories read and told weaving their way into real life.
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Some days, car line is just car line. Some days, car line is a mini oasis. Today was one of those days. I had time after work to stop by the library and the little organic grocery store for a snack. I pulled into my spot in line with fifteen entire minutes to spare. In the safety of my quiet, enclosed space, I cut the engine and listened to the quiet vrrrrrrrrr of my seat moving all the way back.
Uninterrupted and beholden to no one in this short-lived alternate universe of vehicle-clad freedom, I crunched leisurely on my curried apple and chickpea salad, sipped my water, savored a chocolate truffle, and caught up on email newsletters.
I am gently pulled from this leisure by the muffled sound of cars starting, red lights illuminated as people shifted into drive but kept their feet on the brake pedal. With a sigh, I reach into the glovebox and hang my child’s tag on the rearview mirror and begin the start-stop-start-stop journey to collect her from her educators.
As I segue back into the “normal” world filled with various responsibilities, I am thankful nevertheless to see my little love and move into the afternoon routine of chatter, snacks, homework and housework. All of the little miracles and great provision for these mundane everyday things to happen – our physical and mental health, a running car with gas to fill it, plenty of food to fill our bellies, a home to shelter us, people to call our own and care for….may I never forget to give thanks and praise God continuously for all of this and more.
Sindy Hankins 