The past week is a blur of seemingly endless errands, and then lessons and classes, rehearsals and a concert. I’m sick, and I’m tired, and we are still in the thick of it. I sent a video of Keats playing violin during his homeschool orchestra’s Christmas concert to my Aunt Genie, adding the words, “Sitting in this concert tonight. Very tired.” The concert was beautiful and I was so proud of both Keats and Larkspur, who was playing her flute with the band. I was also dead tired from all the planning, preparing, and my goodness, the driving.
Aunt Genie wrote back, “I know you’re tired, sweet girl. Young motherhood is so magical but so exhausting that you have to keep shaking yourself awake so you won’t miss it.”
And of course, then I was crying. Yes, this is physically and mentally hard, but it’s also a gift. Each of our children carries a light, and I want to help mine grow that light and learn to share it. Not all seasons will be this intensely, beautifully exhausting.
Last night, I took Larkspur and Beatrix caroling with friends, literally carrying their lights from house to house. At some, we watched as folks turned out their lights, attempting to hide themselves from the girls waiting outside, song sheets in hand. I honestly couldn’t blame them. But at others there was pure, magical, Christmas joy. At one house we heard a young baby wailing inside. Two elderly women opened the front door, screaming baby in arms. The girls sang and the baby shushed, if only for a moment. The women explained that it was baby girl’s first time away from her mother. Oh, didn’t we understand that, my friends and I. We’ll always remember that baby and her smiling grandmas. At another home, the woman came out on the porch and sang along, so truly pleased. And when they finished singing, she couldn’t stop hugging and thanking the girls. And then there was the home where the elderly woman came out on her porch and listened, silent tears welling in her eyes. And I didn’t mind that I spent the day running errands. I forgot that my fingers and toes were freezing.
So here we are, in the octave before Christmas, making and sharing gifts, and trying to keep our eyes on the Greatest Gift. I’m knitting tiny doll shoes, carrying them everywhere in a bag that was hand embroidered decades ago by my great grandmother. My girls are frantically pulling together their own last minute gifts, and I’m thankful that I am almost ready with my own. Seth, not always one ready with a gift, handed me a tiny hand turned cherry mushroom recently, and then followed it up with another, and another, in both holly and maple wood. He has no idea how I will always treasure them, just as I carry these memories and their songs in my heart.
Emily says
Love to you all at Christmas and for the coming year, Ginny. Your words really spoke to me x
Liz says
A lovely story in this hectic times. But your bag, I LOVE your bag!!!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Beth says
I would definitely buy some mushrooms if they were sold in your shop. A set of 3 just like he gave you would be perfect!
Leah says
Oh Ginny! I just love this! All of it! Your Aunt is very wise. Being in the midst isn’t easy but I often think how I will miss this one day. Trying to be in the moment.
Theresa Boedeker says
Your aunt is so wise.
Elisabeth says
What a lovely post! Thanks for sharing the way real life happens. Also, Vivaldi’s Winter sounds amazing! Congratulations to your children!
GretchenJoanna says
Thank you for sharing your gifts of thankfulness and joy! Your aunt’s exhortation to keep shaking yourself awake is good advice for most of us. And the light does shine from your descriptions of the festivities. Caroling is not for the fainthearted!
Fiona says
There you go, you’ve done it again, you’ve made me cry with your words and your photographs. That’s not a bad thing by the way. You’re a very special woman and you’re part of a wonderful loving family. I wish you all a very happy Christmas
Ginny says
Thank you, Fiona! Merry Christmas!
Laura says
Beautiful pictures and words! I love that your girls went caroling – you hardly ever hear of people doing it anymore, and yet it can bring such joy to others. At first I thought those booties were for a baby, not a doll, and wondered if you had a new little one on the way 🙂 Merry Christmas and may God bless your beautiful family!
Ginny says
Merry Christmas, Laura!
Jeannie says
This is an especially beautiful post, the pictures, the music, your truthfulness, thoughts, and words. Thank you and bless you as always, dear lady.
Ginny says
Thank you, Jeannie!
Claire says
Thank you for taking the time to share these thoughts and these photos. I can relate, as I am also in this crazy, exhausting, busy, beautiful phase of motherhood with my own five. This week was frantic and busy, leaving half-eaten dinners on the table as we rushed out to my children’s Advent concert, where my daughter also played Vivaldi’s “Winter”… and it was magnificent. Sharing light and sharing beautiful music. Another rushed night tonight, but in the end, it’s all part of a beautiful life and a beautiful Advent. This time of year is inevitably busy, in spite of our best intentions, and in spite of super-human attempts (on my end) at being organized before it all begins! I am trying really hard to embrace it, see the beauty, and NOT complain (the more children I have and the older I get, the better I get a this part!)! Advent blessings to you and your family!
Ginny says
It’s true-it does get easier not to complain as we get older! Blessings to you as well!
karen says
I have the worst sinus/ear infection and feel super cruddy. I am trying to be ‘in the Advent moment’ and it’s difficult. However, I am doing what I can do and I’m trying to be loosey goosey on what is really important. Today I spent time with my 25 yo son and left all the chores. It was sweet.
Ginny says
Sinus infections are the worst! I hope you feel better quickly, Karen! Merry (almost) Christmas!
Connie says
Beautiful, heart felt post. Thank you and Merry Christmas. (….I bring you good news of great joy…)
Ginny says
Merry Christmas, Connie!
Dana Michigan says
How professional your son’s orchestra sounds! Well done!
All 4 of my kiddos are fully grown now and no wee ones! I remember being exhausted, but it IS worth it! Stay strong Mama!
Ginny says
Thank you, Dana!
Megan Walburger says
Oh Ginny, I’m crying too, as I see many of you are in previous comments. I too have been sick this week, have attended orchestra and choir concerts, have driven so many kids to and fro, and have been quickly trying to finish sewing Christmas PJs. I’m exhausted, but so worried that I’m going to miss the special moments of the season. Thank you for your words, they are beautiful. When I focus on the Savior, I feel at peace. Thank you for the reminder.
Susan Kuhlman says
During that driving, driving, driving stage I put more miles on my car than a friend did and he was a traveling salesman. I never left two counties for a year. UGH. I would have gladly paid for Lift if it had existed then. I only had two kids. Try to think through ahead of time the “schedule” and car pool as much as possible. Good luck.
Ginny says
It’s sooo hard! I keep trying to stay focused on Jesus as well, as I run to the next thing on the list to do… I hope you feel better! Merry Christmas!
Nancy says
The orchestra was wonderful!!! I love the mushrooms. He should sell those. 🙂 Merry Christmas Ginny! It’s hard to believe I’ve been following your blog for so many years now. You are one of my favorite blogs – especially for your photos. You and PosieGetsCozy. Oh – love the girls caroling and their outfits. Adorable!!!
Ginny says
Thank you, Nancy!!! (And I’ve been telling Seth the same thing about the mushrooms. Maybe he will!)
Martha says
That bag embroidered by your great grandmother is beautiful! Monday night I went to our girl’s musical concert and left our six-week-old home with my husband he later told me that he only had about 15 minutes of peace the rest of the time he cried…that’s a mama’s life.
Jenny says
Definitely got me tearing up. Your aunt nailed motherhood, especially this time of year.
Ginny says
She really did.
Catherine says
What a beautiful post! I love the pictures.
Ginny says
Thank you, Catherine!
Anne says
Thank you so much for sharing your aunt’s words with us. I suspect most young mamas got tears in their eyes when reading those words that just reach right to the truth of it all. God bless you and yours this Christmas season and all year long!
Ginny says
I knew I had to share, because so many would relate! It’s always good to know we aren’t alone, and that there are those who understand!
Marion says
Ginny you have a beautiful family. Wishing you and the family A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY 2019 full of everything good.
God Bles
Joan,Marilyn and Marion
Ginny says
Merry Christmas, ladies!!!
Elaine says
Beautiful!
Lady Locust says
Bless you and your family. Take a moment to breathe and have a cup of tea. What you are doing is so extremely special. Also, I think your aunt must be a wise woman.
Have a blessed Christmastime.
Anna says
Your posts make me cry lately.
Leanne Coppola says
This post hit me hard and I’m crying!!! You captured perfectly how we all feel right now. The line your aunt gave you is so true. I’m exhausted. I feel overwhelmed. I cry a little bit every day just trying to keep my head above water with kids, work, home, holidays, life, money, decisions, family…it’s exhausting!! And then I find myself smiling and enjoying the excitement on my kid’s faces.
Ginny says
Leanne, I do the same thing-I feel like I’m on the verge of tears half the time just trying to stay afloat! It’s hard!!! But so good too- I hope you guys have a great Christmas!! Love, Ginny
Wendy says
The beauty and light of your words and experiences made me all teary this morning–I was touched especially by your experience caroling: what joy the girls brought to those who chose to open the door and receive their gift! I was also struck by those who turned out the lights and closed the curtains, and I thought of the words, “Let every heart prepare Him room.”
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
P.S.–that bag and the little shoes are just too fantastic! ?
Ginny says
Merry Christmas, Wendy!!!
Holly says
Thank you for this reminder Ginny. This was how I felt last week—we had church events on four nights, a piano recital, and homeschool Christmas party—they left me all a bit drained, although all good things and a blessing for the opportunity to serve (with a few more coming up), but yes, that is the season we are in—and it is wonderful and exhausting all at the same time. I am thankful that you took the time to write your post amidst this—it has definitely encouraged me today!
Merry Christmas!
Ginny says
Merry Christmas, Holly!
Janet Reinhart says
Sending you Christmas love and grace!
Ginny says
Thank you, Janet! Merry Christmas!
Loretta says
I love what your Aunt Genie said, it is so true.
Helen says
You are one amazing person … hope you find time for rest and relaxing soon.
Merry Christmas with love
Ginny says
Thank you! Merry Christmas, Helen!
Richard (in Charlotte, NC) says
You are an amazing girl, woman, wife and mother! Please get some rest and sleep whenever you can – cat naps count you know.
Merry Christmas to you, Jonny and all of your family!
Ginny says
Thank you, Richard! Merry Christmas!