Sunday 7 March 2010

sleepless life and happiness


Mrs. Yong is a woman, wife, and mother that is an admirable and beloved role model for me. She has two sweet and fun children, Miah and Ellie (Jeremiah and Eliana), and gave birth to baby Bethan a month ago. We went to see her in the hospital (though I didn't take this photo) and I've gotten to hold little Bethan several times since. Isn't it painfully beautiful to hold a newborn?
This Friday I stood with Mrs. Yong and Mrs. Brikho, a new mother, as they spoke of newborns and night feeding and sleep, and heard Mrs. Yong say 'it's so much easier once I've given up my right to sleep.'

This was so striking, but isn't it true? I've been thinking about that a lot this week, and wondering what it would be like for every area of life to be lived without a feeling of entitlement (and wanting and praying for that). Perhaps hard things don't have to hurt so much if you aren't caring what you get or don't get out of it, or how it inconveniences you and displaces your own desires. That sounds like selflessness, cheerfully, which is what I want to live out, in my own home and now.


love,
cait

4 comments:

LeAnna said...

Mr. Yong is very right. Becoming a parent means you give up the majority of your "rights" - well, the ones that seem(ed) important. Like sleep, and the ability to use the restroom without two sweet blue eyes staring at you the whole time. *grin* It means not caring that your fridge is often covered in peanut butter handprints, and a deeper understanding that the best gifts are the ones that don't carry the label of conveniency.

erin meagan said...

so inspirational!

Elena said...

Wonderful words Cait :)

jozen said...

i stumbled upon your blog and just had to take a peek. i love the title of your blog...

my 4 year old and I have a love/hate relationship with sparkles...

she loves them.. i hate them! LOL

will come back again!