A Pocket of Peace

We have just left what I’m calling a *pocket of peace* in the Carolinas.  Doesn’t everyone love a dress, or a pair of slacks, with pockets?  The pockets have so many positive points including that they provide a place for your hands to rest when your hands need some rest.  We have been able to slide easily into a slower pace of a *pocket of peace* at our in-laws this last week.  The prior week was The Salesman’s heart blockage and ensuing stent.  I have not shared everything regarding the events of the week, and I will eventually; but, if I had to describe it, I could say that much surrounding the whole experience could be described as a garment without pockets.  There was no place for rest.

I’m taking a deep breath and exhaling because I’ve just left this deep *pocket of peace* surrounded by loved ones with the same last name and while there, I experienced:

The methodical sway of rocking chairs

A daughters long hair keeping rhythm with the porch swings back and forth motion

Laughter from Rook players that rippled out to us seated nearby and made us stop and notice how happy even opposing teams can be

Meaningful conversations while looking into family members eyes and being able to hear the overflow of hearts

Garden tomatoes of various sizes and in various stages of ripening on an old table

Green beans just picked from the vine and still in a bucket on the porch wall with a few peppers and some okra sprinkled on top

An 80th birthday celebration where a China Doll Daughter FaceTimed to join in

A sunset that provided a magnificent background for a family picture

Zyto scans and essential oils for everyone

Extracting a beautifully decorated cake from a Barry’s Bakery box- even a SF/GF gal makes exceptions for Barry’s. I love you Barry.

Hugs.  And love. And listening.

And it is on that last point that I will stop because some of my *beef* of the previous week lies there.  But, before I speak too soon, I remember last Monday saying at the end of my post:

“I hope to be back to regular scheduled programming as a Trim Healthy Mama next week.”

Well, here is it Monday again, and I am not back to regularly scheduled programming.  I am not even doing a Trim Healthy Mama post. I’ve just experienced a reprieve from the reality that is real life and I enjoyed a *pocket of peace* that has done some mending to a body and soul. And you know what, the times we are living in have been without *pockets of peace*.  It’s easy to feel like the empty mug in the picture.  Don’t you just want to take a deep breath with me and exhale?  After experiencing this wonderful *pocket of peace* that I so needed, I can say, and I wish I could say it while looking into your eyes, or from a rocking chair on the porch, or with a postcard worthy background:

I hope in the garment of your day, and specifically in the mantel of this time in history, I hope you are able to rest and reach deep into a pocket and find peace.

Oh, we know the Peace Speaker.  Hallelujah.  Grace and peace, and filling of any empty places in you and a spilling of joy, extravagant joy,  to you.