I Don’t

I Don’t

I don’t really make time for self-care — at least, not in the way we so often hear about it.

I don’t feel the need to escape from my everyday life to find “me time,” because so much of my everyday life is exactly where I want to be.

I am surrounded by my grandchildren practically every day. We have 21 grandchildren, one more on the way, and three great-grandchildren — 12 girls and 12 boys at the moment — ranging in age from 28 years to just 8 months old. And somewhere in the middle of this beautiful bunch are five five-year-olds, all girls! 🥰

I babysit a lot — nearly every day I seem to be helping in one of our children’s families. But it isn’t only babysitting. We do life together.

We cook together, even with the smallest ones. We go out for lunches, visit zoos and museums, attend school events and Grandpa-and-Grandma days, spend holidays together and travel the world together. We’ve shared wonderful adventures, including Disney cruises, and then, of course, there are the birthday celebrations…

If you can count, you already know how many of those we have in a year! 🥳🤣

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I have even had the extraordinary privilege of being there when 11 of my grandchildren were born — and, if I’m remembering correctly, at the births of seven of my sister’s babies too. 🥰 There are some moments in life that you simply never forget.🙏🏼♥️

Of course, I enjoy quiet things too. Time with God, reading His Word, writing, photography, creating, travelling, cooking and simply sitting somewhere beautiful all nourish me. And yes, sometimes I need to rest.

But when people talk about “self-care” as though it must mean getting away from everyone else, that has never really described me.

My family is not what I need a break from. They are one of the places where my heart rests.

After God, they are my greatest joy. We spend an enormous amount of time together, and I truly believe they are among the richest blessings God has given me.

These children were first entrusted by God to their parents, but I also have the tremendous privilege of being their Mimi. How could I not want to love, nurture, encourage, help and care for these precious lives God has placed around me?

So perhaps I do practise self-care after all.

It just looks different.

I care for my soul by spending my life with God and with the people He has given me to love.

And very often, my “me time” begins with someone calling…

“Mimi!” ❤️🥰 and I jump with joy🥰