On a recent trip back home to Mum and Dad's I unearthed all my favourite stories that I used to read to Sam and Caitlin. I piled them up next to Ieuan to read for Isaac. Most of them were by beloved Julia Donaldson. One of my most favourites is "A Squash and a Squeeze". I remember reading it with Caits and loving it so much because each time we read the words "squash" or "squeeze" it was an excuse to give her a big juicy snuggle. Anyway. We were reading this book the other day. For those of you who don't know the story, a little old woman lives in a little house, which, in her opinion, is way too small. She asks a wise old man to help her. Each time, he tells her to bring in her hen, her goat, her cow, her pig etc, she wonders what on earth is going on. With each animal, the space and comfort in her home decreases dramatically. Eventually, she reached breaking point and asks the wise old man for help again. He tells her to "Take them all out!" Which she does. She can't believe it! The space in her house is incredible now, she has SO much room. Of course, you and I know that the house didn't change at all, her appreciation of it, however, did.
These last few weeks, I have been so busy with work. SO busy. It's been interesting and satisfying, and it's always a blessing to earn extra money, but it has been so busy. Before I had this working stint, I wondered how I would fit it all in. Isaac keeps me so busy. I spent the precious hour he sleeps during the day, doing work or washing, etc, and with so much extra to work, I had no idea how I would find the time to do what I needed to when the space in my house, as it were, wasn't going to change. But, with the help of my family, and some careful planning, I managed it.
Today was the first day I didn't have to do work, and, let me tell you, my house felt absolutely palatial. I was able to take my time getting Isaac off for his nap. I relished the opportunity to lie down with him and read my book, as he drifted off to sleep next to me. I didn't have to dash from his side to start work. I don't have to sacrifice an evening with Ieuan tonight! It feels amazing. I was only super busy for a couple of weeks, yet I feel as though it lasted forever. This little experience has shown me how wonderful the crazy busy times are, and how they help to put the rest of our lives into perspective. Going through periods of busyness, sadness, trials etc, whilst they can be difficult and feel so permanent at the time, have the propensity to transform one's life- a normal, regular life- into something wonderful, just by providing a contrast, or an opposition to what you are used to.
So, after throwing out my cow, pig and goat, I can well and truly relax for a while and enjoy the fact that my life is no longer a squash and a squeeze!
