When You've Got Nothing To Give {Today}

...then simply receive. Receive by opening a hand, a clenched fist hand. And lift arms. Lift empty, dangling arms - to wrap the warmth and delight of what is. Not what should be, or what could be, but what is - today.

Today I have a seventeen-month-old girl who is becoming braver navigating her first steps; who sits in the middle  of a pile of books, turning pages, pointing, and telling the story of the one in her lap; and who has learned the art of, "no," with attitude quite well.

Today I have a two-year-old boy turning three in three days, who proclaims, "Two over. I'm three;" who is proud of the fact that he is sharing a truck with his little sister; and who slips his little feet into his flip-flops and asks if we can go find him a soccer team.

Today I have a five-year-old girl who curls up on the couch with me for a short nap, who brings me a pile of books to read to her, and who sweetly announces how much she loves me in the middle of my dealing with another child.

Today I have a seven-year-old boy who whistles all the way home from the bus stop; who accepts open arms at the front door; and who announces, as he receives an after school snack, "I believe a good snack should come before everything."

Today I have a husband who sends two off to school with warm salutations; who receives screams, squeals and hugs from all four children when he returns home from work; and who stands on the sidelines of his oldest son's football game, right there with the coaches.

Today the sun is tucked behind the clouds obscuring the blue sky, the mountains are hidden behind the sheet of white, and the cold chill threatens autumn.

Today nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

Yet today - is a gift.

I'm linking up with the lovely Emily Wierenga for Imperfect Prose and Beck Gambill for Sister to Sister on Thursdays.