In a perfect life, I would wake up each morning, having slept solidly (with good dreams) after at least eight hours, having only been disturbed by a gentle, loving kiss from my husband as he left for work earlier. I'd feel refreshed! Alive! I'd look forward to what the day held.
After dressing myself in clothes that were comfortable and made me look great, I'd do my makeup and hair with a minimum of fuss and I'd glow.
Breakfast would be a beautiful affair with simply-made food that looked beautiful in the morning light - artfully arranged and garnished with just the right amount of vibrantly-colored homemade sauce or syrup or compote.
My children and I would have conversations that lent themselves to deep philosophical insights by me or comedic misunderstandings by them that would then become viral Internet memes.
After breakfast, my kitchen would be easily cleaned with lemons and vinegar. It would be a perfect vignette of domesticity - gentle northern light coming through a large window, illuminating baskets of fruit or vegetables on butcher block counters. Handmade tiles on the walls. Burnished copper pots and pans hanging among dried herbs from the ceiling.
My house would already/always be clean or artfully cluttered. My children and I would spend the day in my art studio where I would always know exactly what I wanted to create. The supplies would always be within reach and available. My children would allow me to work, only interrupting me with sweet comments that I would later share on my social media. They would read or play games that fostered imagination and they would always share. Lunch would be another simply prepared meal - perhaps eaten outside amongst my flower and gardening containers. I would have beautiful artwork to show my husband when he came home from work.
He'd love it and ask to take pictures to show his friends what a fabulous wife he had. He'd then spend time talking about his day (he loved his job, he'd laughed with his co-workers, a promotion had been mentioned, etc.) and then go off to get undressed from work and talk/play with his children for a few minutes as I started dinner. After a short while, both husband and children would come in and help with dinner, knowing what to do without being asked. Dinner would be a heartier affair (manly food) with stimulating conversation between adults and educational opportunities to explain the meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything to the children. Much happiness and laughter would ensue.
After dinner, the kitchen would be cleaned in no time and next would be family time - a walk, a shared outside improvement project/activity or visiting with family/neighbors. Bath time would be greeted with cheers and the children would take turns playing happily in the tub while my husband and I strengthened our marriage by talking about goals, evaluating progress on current projects and reminiscing about past successes. We would be caught hugging/kissing in the kitchen by giggling, still-damp children.
Bedtime would be gentle. Stories would be read, drinks of water given and kisses bestowed on heads/cheeks/lips. The husband and I would spend quality time together. Bedtime would be an unhurried time for me - my husband and I'd read scriptures with understanding. I'd say my prayers with earnestness and gratitude. I'd lay down with a peaceful, satisfied feeling of a Day Well Done and go to sleep, looking forward to the next day.
After a description like this, the predictable thing would be to contrast it with my actual life. But I'd rather leave the beautiful images in my mind instead and focus on the Could Be...
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