Marvelous Mud

Our family moved last week. Moves are stressful. Tensions are palpable and emotions are at all-time highs. Combine the move with our elementary aged kids starting in a new school within the last six weeks of the year and we have a recipe for stress struessel.

Day 2 at the new school we had a downpour that left many parts of Houston flooded. Our backyard was one of them. By the time we got home from class the kids were highly strung and in need of some plain ol' fun. They went out on the back deck and eyed a pig's paradise of mud with intense desire then turned on cue and asked if they could play in it. Without a moment's hesitation I heard myself say, "Sure!"

What possessed me to say yes? Maybe it was the overwhelming sense of decompressing I personally needed to escape from unpacking the mountains of cardboard boxes. Maybe it was sensing my kids needed to do something outrageously fun. I don't know, but after telling them to put on their grubbies and mud shoes they went full out. In short order they were painted from head to toe having the time of their lives. Have you ever played "patty cake" with mud? Makes for very realistic pies... Squeals of delight rang out as I sat on the back porch sipping ice water at a safe sanitized distance.

Now, let me be clear. This happened while my husband was at work. He needs to know nothing of the sloppy experience. By the time he arrived home all evidence of the escapade was carefully taken care of. Kids were sparkling clean and my daughter reminded me mud is a natural moisturizer. Whoa was their skin supple! And for those of you who might be wondering just how much mud was on their clothes... Let's just say my washer earned an Olympic Gold last night!

While tucking Connor into bed he told me how much he appreciated being able to play in the mud. Then after a long silence I thought he might be asleep, so I slipped off the bed and headed to the door when I heard, "Mom, playing in the mud today was really living. Thanks again for saying 'yes'." I stood in his doorway thinking how often life gives us opportunities to really live but how frequently we choose to pass them by because of the risk of getting dirty or a situation becoming too messy.





Is there something you have wanted to do that might be a bit messy or out of the ordinary? Why not roll up your sleeves and dive into whatever it is with great gusto? Why not really live while you have the chance?

In the famous words of NIKE: Just Do It!

Julie