So, okay, maybe I haven’t slept in the week and a half since Eli joined us. I can still offer you a selection of really cool guest posts! Today’s is from Jen, of Momalom.

—

I often must remember

That beginnings can come from endings

And that as I lay down to sleep at night

At the end of a day

That was stressful

Or hurried

Too emotional

Or even just unexpected

I may not wake up with an answer

Or feeling that everything is really just fine

But

When I open my eyes in the morning

I will probably be greeted with gold

My children’s grins, giggles

A hot mug of coffee

A caravan of Lego vehicles on display

Every new day is a beginning

The cliché is of course true

As clichés are meant to be

Sometimes a day’s newness is larger

or more significant than another

But I know

Each new number on the calendar

is substantial in its own isolated existence

And me

Awakening

To the life of my family already buzzing

Is an opportunity

That I need to embrace everyday

Remembering that this is the life I chose

A life of these people

Abundant “I love yous”

Warmth and smiles

It is this life that I longed for

That I still long for

Even though I didn’t anticipate the difficulties

Of finding time for myself

Amid all of these people who want me

All to themselves

—

Jen is one-half the sisterhood behind Momalom.com, and she doesn’t drive a minivan. But she does write obituaries and blog posts. Probably not at the same time.