Monday, January 28, 2008

A Noisy Day

There is no school today. At 8:20 am two little boys showed up at my door. At 9:05 am two little girls showed up at my door. The three year-old, who is here every week, seemed a noisy, boisterous stranger. The six and seven year-olds ran around, bounced off walls, and laughed at everything, funny or not. Only the nine year-old was quiet. It was not a bad morning, just noisy. I did laundry, swept floors, washed dishes, and made lunches. The girls went home about ten minutes ago. The three year-old is taking a nap. The six year-old is playing Legos with Ben. The house seems quiet.

I have a renewed appreciation for my mom and her loving patience with children. For many, many years my mom operated a daycare out of her home. She often had anywhere from six to ten children in her care for the day. Her house was noisy and there wasn't anyplace to escape the presence of little people, but she loved them. She let them sit on her lap. She hugged them and kissed them. She gave them apples and crackers in the morning and she made them wonderful kid lunches every noon. They took naps in her living room, played with her toys, and ran around in her yard. When my dad was home he drew with them, playfully turned them upside-down, and played his banjo for them. It was a wonderful place for moms and dads to leave ther children. I don't know how Mom kept it up day after day, week after week, year after year, but she did. And she never stopped loving those kids. That is the love of Jesus shining through.

12 comments:

  1. I have very fond memories of going to Grandma's house during daycare hours. Grandma and Grandpa did have a way with little kids!

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  3. By the way, so do you. I don't think I have the patience to watch that many kids...at least not all the time.

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  4. The love of God is something I prayed for all weekend as we had David and at times AJ his friend next door. 7 and 8 year old boys! OYE!

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  5. hey that's me in the picture!!!

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  6. It does make me tired just thinking about that...

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  7. Allen, I hope you drive better than you sumo wrestle...

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  8. Sounds like you had a busy day! What fun!

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  9. I take my hat off to any woman who home schools, and runs a day care!!
    The world need both!!

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  10. Martha, your Mom truly is an amazing person and you certainly took after her. What a blessing both of you are to parents who can feel so good about leaving their kids in such a loving home. You are really serving the Lord in opening up your home like you do.

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  11. I have to admit that I like the peace and quiet of not babysitting. That's one good looking little boy in that picture! He looks like his Dad!

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  12. I just don't have that kind of patience.... :(

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