Presence

“They are back from Ottawa now, so they want to go forward with the bathroom reno,” my husband says to me. They had gone away to live there for work and rented their home in Victoria in the meantime. “That was over 3 years ago.. I know I measured everything. Did I draw the plans? I can’t remember now if I had actually done it or if I started and then they got the position there.” It feels like a lifetime ago. I honestly couldn’t remember. I looked in my stash under the stairs, and sure enough, I had done the work! I remember that being December 2020 into January 2021, and I had also started my Canadian Securities Course at that time, and felt stretched pretty thin! But I can thank my past self for putting in the work. 🤓

Juggling book illustrations, website (webshop) launch, which includes everything to do with getting prints and cards ready to sell as well. Sourcing packaging and getting info to the printer. Although it has felt busy, it’s the exciting kind of busy-ness that is uplifting. It feels good.

I know I get protective and selfish about my downtime. I have an expectation of being able to do my tasks and get everything done but then if more things come up on the ‘to-do’ list, it can make me cranky. Last Friday was a perfect example. The youngest had a hockey practice at the rink – the first one back after spring hockey. This meant that our dinner got pushed back to 8. I don’t enjoy late meals. Since I go to bed early, it means I don’t get time to unwind after dinner. Because of course the meal and kitchen have to be cleaned. Jay reminded me as he is so good at perspective, that they are only young once. Would I be happier if they were moved out and I didn’t have to eat late? The answer to that is no. I wouldn’t be happy if the reason we weren’t eating ‘late’ is because the boys were gone. A good reminder to be grateful and embrace it. Even if things aren’t going according to my expectation or schedule. I don’t exactly go with the flow very well, so it’s an area for improvement. And being present and soaking up moments with the boys is good practice. With Jordan recently graduated, it’s a strong reminder of how fast time goes by and of what I will miss when I no longer have it.

Presence has been my word this week that came up a few times and so when Owen asked about us taking him to the pool on Sunday, we didn’t think twice. Let’s do it, we said. He needs practice swimming, and we had talked about pool time for some very specific practicing, away from the lake. And even though I had 30 other things I could have been doing, it was truly a treasured time of my weekend.

Sending Love,

Devon