Today I ran into the bathroom while the children were ALL occupied with a toy. No sooner had I heard the door click to indicate it had closed that I heard a knock. Do you know what my Thomas asked me after his third attempt to get in the bathroom with me?
"Hey mom? Is that you in there? What are you doing?"
We live in three rooms, Grandma. Three. Two bedrooms and a main living area...And he wanted to know what I was doing in the bathroom.
The answer? I was running away.
Things aren't working out so well with the house situation. We can't seem to find a home that Matt and I both agree on. So we found one that we both dislike but will be just fine to raise our crazy brood. It will be a lot of work for Matt, but at least we will be together.
I think a lot about the sacrifices you had to make while Grandpa was serving the country. My struggles are nothing compared to that. You inspire me.
I think a lot about your favorite prayer for serenity. "Lord, grant me the serenity accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
There has been so much over the past year that I could not change. As a Schwalm woman, I always had the courage to change the things I could...but not always the wisdom to know when my courage needed to give way to serenity.
So here I am, your namesake, asking for your prayers and love. And keep laughing with me, because I need to keep a good sense of humor. I fail so much more when I take myself too seriously.
I love you, Grandma. You are with me everyday, in my heart. And your Schwalm spark is in each one of these little souls that I feed, change, clothe, bathe...
