I turned the radio off this morning.
I usually like to listen to NPR's Morning Edition while I stir oatmeal and slather apple butter on biscuits, but it's gotten to be too depressing. I can't see starting the day off to the clanging gong of mudslinging politicians, empty promises, blame gaming, gloom and doom.
I'd rather hear the birds outside my window and my neighbor chasing a giggling toddler around their drive.
Those sounds are more hopeful.
With bowls and spoons rinsed, and shoes located and tied, we walked in the woods.
My men stuffed their pockets with acorns, their fists with blooming "weeds" and didn't think, not for an instant, that pockets should jingle or that fists are for dollars.
They don't worry about money, and I envy them that a little.
There, in the woods, gold is falling.
This is a fact that has nothing at all to do with the stock market or bailouts or a credit crisis, and everything to do with beauty, and the silent promise that this too shall pass.
These days the cool mornings and all the yellow fullness of fall keep us outside for our studies.
My men are carefree, busy little things, alternately working and chasing chickens, and of course, marveling at their good fortune – "Don't you just love all the things we gathered up for you Mama?"
They read, and they delight in rows of numbers, while I delight in the fact that even as all the furrowed brows on Wall Street are calculating the future, there is no fear at all in my own little bean counter's adding and subtracting.
There is only the miraculousness of order, the "magic" of math.
What more could a mother ask for her sons than that they may hold onto what they already have… they are surrounded by gold that is free for the taking, their tables overflow with bounty, their pockets are full of wonder, their minds are full of eagerness, their hearts are wide open.
We are so very rich.
{ 49 comments }
Thank you for the perspective. The beauty. And the hope.
Yes, you are. You certainly are.
Beautiful, as always. I love not hearing the constant chatter of the news. It is depressing. I like the chatter of my kids much better. Like you said, it’s hopeful.
That was lovely. Thanks so much.
You said it. Nature reminds us of the God of the universe who has His good hand in everything.
oh yes indeedy. i so love that you can extend the ‘this too shall pass’ mommy mantra to wall street. so, so true.
fabulous tablecloths always help magic bean counters on. Hello favoritest sheet (mine is waiting to be washed and plunked down on the table in celebration of Autumn.
As for the rest. Oy.
*sigh* you are rich indeed
I always look forward to your posts and I especially love this one.
so beautiful.
Such a beautiful post, thank you. THere’s so much beauty in the every day, in nature, in what surrounds us. And not on the radio and television.
What a wonderful perspective and commentary.
Oh, thank you for this wonderful post which reminds me what is really important in life.
You guys rock!
I am a firm believer in knowing only enough news to be aware of what’s going on, and then shutting it all off and enjoying the world.
Beautiful post. Words AND pics.
that was a great post gal! xo
hope.
you know it.
{thank you for the package – it came late last week. what a wonderful surprise!}
What a beautiful post. Thank you for the gentle reminder to enjoy the bounty that surrounds you.
Heather
Wonderful,wonderful post.
I too silenced the media in our house.Ssshhhhush I say.Enjoy the silence:0)
Have a great day
That is beautiful! Fall is my favorite season, by far…and you captured its beauty perfectly.
oh my. you’re going to make me bawl again this morning aren’t you?
Made me think of Robert Frost:
“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.”
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much happier the world would be if our currencies were sea glass and acorns.
Amen!
Ah, this is like taking a deep, cleansing breath.
Thank you!
I have stopped listening to talk radio and I barely watch the news. I try to enjoy my early morning catching up with blogs, they are my “happy place”.
Its times like this it is better to look at the good otherwise the bad will eat you alive if you let it.
Going to school in the good ol’ outdoors…absolutely delightful!
Such a great post. So optimistic and hopeful… what we all need right now!
Lovely
POETIC!!!!
Thank you for helping reorient my day.
what a beautiful post, thank you!
Great look on life mom. Good Job, keep it up. Yes, you are very lucky!
I realized this morning that I need to tell you how much I enjoy reading your postings. I’m so intrigued with the blogging community, the power it gives me to post and to read others’ postings. I guess it makes me feel less isolated in the daily, albeit sacred, grind of motherhood. Thanks for sharing.
Oh sounds like a Frost poem. Rich indeed!
As always, beautiful.
That was a beautiful post, we should all look at life through the eyes of children.
Thank you for this – I have been feeling removed from the angst in the news -and this helps verbalize why… when I can see the world through the eyes of a 3 year old, whose most valuable possessions are his books and stories, and who looks for the moon every night.
I just received a pillow case that has become a market bag for my sister in the same pattern as your table cloth! Such a small world. On another note, we are so rich indeed – I love the gold of Autumn.
amen.
ahhh, love to keep up you guys. Great pic of Ryder.
i actually got all teary.
when are you writing your book?
i loved this.
Beautiful words, thoughts, feelings and images. Thank you for reminding us what really matters most. We too are loving the cool days spent gathering acorns and leaves. Happy Fall to you and yours!
oh my! Rich indeed. I tried to watch the vice presidential debate (on the computer of course since we don’t have TV) and it was just too much for me to handle. I’m just not one for propaghanda I suppose. Give me simplicity. Give me leaves changing colors and a kinder light. Give me my children and their wonder. Thanks for sharing yours.
You always tell things so wonderfully.
thank you. this made me cry a little.
And people wonder why I’m voting The Constitution Party this year!
Way to go – turning off the noise and listening to the peace. I would expect nothing less from you.
Wow. Your photos are amazing, your words are encouraging and you are my new vote for president.
Oh, Yes. There really is so much more to life than jingling pockets and fists full of money, isn’t there?
Stephanie, I don’t know why — no good reason, really — that I haven’t read your blog in a while. Today, having already commented once, I must tell you it’s like coming in over here to read a good chunk of a the ongoing story. It is SOOOOO good, this way. Heck, this way or everyday it is just plain good reading.
Are you writing a book, by chance? and if so … when do we get details?
Thank you. This post is the TRUTH! the happy truth.
you may not need encouraging BUT keep up the good work …parenting can the hardest yet simplest experience in life.
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