Monday, January 7, 2013

Worries, Dreams and Ideas






  Sometimes life inspires me.  Not always in ways that I would expect or seek.. and in that there is a certain kind of magic.  Of course there are the things that never fail to inspire or amaze, but sometimes the world around us, our children,  June, or just a pretty song can bring me clarity in the midst of an admittedly stressful life.  Our lifestyle aside, we are like a lot of working class American families and in today's world there is a lot a man has to consider.

I try to be thankful for the things that we have and not take for granted the small comforts and blessings that modern life affords. I try to remember that my family has indeed been blessed and we are light years ahead of where we were last year at this time.  Still even considering our numerous blessings, and how far we have come as a family and as a couple... Sometimes I worry that I don't quite measure up as a father.... (Yes, HoHs can have insecurities)  June has often reassured that I generally do a good job as father and husband,  but sometimes I guess that's just it, I want to give my family the best of everything, I know that that's perhaps not the most logical or even pragmatic view,  but in light of the recent tragedies and it being the holiday season, family has become even more important than ever.

 June and I have both often talked about our childhood experiences and we both agree that we want to give our children a better experience than either of us had. We try to give the kids the kind of positive environment that encourages and inspires growth and communication.

"Children have the right to dream, what will they become?  Where will they grow?  Will they know peace and satisfaction? When a child becomes an adult they learn what they where able to become and no matter how they wish they can no longer claim childhood innocence... No matter what let it be said that children have the right to dream." ~ BTL


We have also talked about our own future and many a lights-out conversation has included sharing our own romantic vision of life after the military, life after finishing school and of course the daunting task of relocating to new quarters.  We won't share all of our ideas but the discussions have in fact illuminated several interesting ideas and possibilities. This kind of soft, intimate conversation is something that I never had even in previous relationships and I never grow tired of it. The quiet hours when we share, communicate and inspire each other are a vital element of our interpretation of TTWD and D/s.

 Normally in my post I share a theme or idea with you, and I guess this post is not so very different. I would encourage you all to find or make a special time of day for you to share your worries, dreams and ideas.  Who knows what you might discover or learn.  Much of what I have learned and shared with June has come from this very special time of day. There is a wonderful warmth that comes from observing the beauty of her inspiration and the sparkle of her eyes when a new and wonderful idea illuminates her mind and lights the wick of her imagination.

Her POV: 

I don't think that Ward understands how simple are my needs, or the needs of our children. Tonight, we were all in the kitchen, making cookies, Daddy participating, sitting at the table with the boys, forming and decorating cookies, me hands in cookie dough, mixing...and weeping. I brought a tray to the table and wrapped my sticky arms around him and kissed him, and thanked him for giving me what I always wanted. Who could want more than that single, gorgeous, poignant moment of family togetherness.

In the living room, the boys playing video games with him, while I made the pizza for dinner, and once I popped it in the oven, came to join them till the buzzer rang. The youngest came and hugged me and said "Thanks for choosing him, mom. I love him, and I'm glad he's here with us." How much more perfect? He worries that he does... who knows what kind of magic...but he has performed the greatest of magics in healing three hearts, in giving us what we never thought we would have... someone to love us like that.

I love that time of night, it's the time that is just ours, no phone calls,no door bells, no  TV, no raucous laughter and play from the boys and their friends. Just he and I, touching, talking, kissing - yum - then spooning, his arm tight around me, our fingers intertwined. The dark can give that extra bit of courage for the difficult subjects. But it always ends well and sweetly, closer for the moment, the touch, the tenderness, the time we devote to being us.

Long before I knew him, I loved the idea of him. Now, he's here, and I love him with the fullness of my being, in a way that words can never express. I always will. 

32 comments:

  1. All that you ramily needs Ward... Is YOU. Your attention, your love, your presence in their lives. Time is what they need, what they crave and as long as you are giving of yourself in those ways you are doing a great job.... Its so easy nowadays to unplug, and make excuses not to engage with the very people we live with. We take them for granted, and no one (sometimes even them) realizes it. Until one day it seems everyone is MILES apart. The effort to remain in the same room, the same moment together with them, is what they need from you. The material things don't matter so much. Your love, care and acceptance is everything.

    June - You dreamed him into your world.. You know that that is a real concept don't you? I did it too, only I was lucky enough to dream him into my life very early (we were 19). Also - I love the in the dark, snuggled in bed time too! It's the favourite part of my day.

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    1. You were lucky indeed, HisLilAngel. It's a concept I've only recently learned, I wish I had understood how to focus before, and then I wouldn't have had to wait so long. But I believe, or at least I try to tell myself so that I don't mourn time wasted, that I was being burnished so that he would find me beautiful and pleasing, and so that I could appreciate all the incredible gifts he brings with his love.... those gifts you spoke so eloquently of,yes, that is all that we need of him,andwe are blessed with his generosity.

      And now I'm crying, lol. (((hugs))) :)

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    2. You know, somehow I doubt he would have ever found you to be less than beautiful or pleasing..... ;) I think yeah, we dream them into our world, but sometimes it takes time. Husband has been in my life platonically for more years than we have been together, but it was some random twist of fate that made me 'see' him as he was... Which was perfect for me.... I think they come to us, when they are meant to, in whatever way we need them. Sometimes it is only for awhile, and sometimes it is forever. But the timing doesn't matter really does it? The love is always once in a lifetime..... It teaches us more about ourselves, how we see ourselves, what we are capable of, and how others see us than anything or anyone else ever could. But they only come to us when we are ready.... And aren't we blessed to have been ready already in our lives? <3 Some people wait so very much longer than we have.

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    3. Mmmmhmmm, I do sometimes think we have to have certain experiences. Now that he was here none of what happened before really matters... not any more :) I'm glad that I somehow learned how to dream him here!

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  2. I love those moments, watching Michael interact with the kids, and us all together as a family, usually doing something very simple, but it becomes something special because we're doing it together. :)

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    1. Oh, me, too, Grace, it is a very special kind of magic!

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  3. Oh, those after-dark, cuddle and dream talks are so wonderful even when there is less dreaming and more serious. *sigh*

    June - You painted such a lovely picture and your youngest brought me to tears with those simple words. :)

    Leaving with a smile. Thank you both for making my day!

    Blessings,
    Cat

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    1. It IS my favorite time of day, Cat, when we connect & come together.

      He made me cry, too - such very happy tears :)

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  4. You guys are incredible. It has to make everyone else jealous. I know it makes me jealous, but in a nice way.

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    1. Thanks, sunnygirl :"> Awwww, we're all amazing in our own ways in this community - we shine. Now out in Walmart, Target, Kroger - yes we get some looks....I like the soft, knowing looks when someone rounds a corner and I've just called him Daddy - and that kind of gives me a warm feeling :)

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  5. That is absolutely beautiful! I will say it again... You two are very lucky to have each other!

    Hugs

    P

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    1. Yes, P - speaking fro myself, I have been so very generously blessed :)

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  6. @HisLilAngel - She tells me the same too, and just being there is a serious boost to the strength of our family, we love each other more and more every day.
    @Grace - Family Magic is the greatest kind of magic there is!
    @Cat - It's the magic of us... we love that time of day best of all!
    @sunnygirl - It is wonderful... this love, we treasure it! Thanks for reading!
    @Pocahontas - Thank you so much we are very blessed!

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  7. Ward, Sir and I spend a great deal of time snuggling in bed, lights off, often after play or intimate times together. It's dark, we're warm, intertwined, safe, connected both physically and emotionally and open to each other. It is so important. We share our dreams, we make plans, we problem solve, we brainstorm...it is integral to our relationship being as strong and lasting as long as it has.

    June, I knew if I were to spend my life with a man, he would have to be a good father. He would have to love our children and make them a priority. He would have to put family at the top of his list. He would have to love me and I him...but being a family man, that was at the top of the list. The time is what makes the difference - not money, not perfection...but the effort and the desire and the presence to a spouse and children!

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    1. That is it for me, fiona. I don't know what things he thinks he needs to do, but the sheer perfection of those moments, they fill me to bursting with love, joy and pride. He does so much for us, I only hope to be able to communicate that in a way that he feels in his core.

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  8. IT is those supposedly 'little moments'...making cookies, playing games..doing those things together that are truly special. I am doing those with my grandchildren now.....and it is even more special. As I tell my gorwn children ..it is all about the memories..keep making those memories..
    hugs abby

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    1. Thanks so much, abby. I'm so grateful that they have Daddy as their role model, and to help us make these lovely memories. Enjoy making them with your grandchildren!

      (((hugs)))

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  9. What a beautiful image that is! Your family making cookies and sharing time together. These are the times that really matter for kids, and the times that they will remember long after they have grown.
    The times that forge a relationship is the one you described so perfectly, Ward. Late at night, when everything is quiet except the lowered voices of lovers, shushed so no one hears.....its magical.
    Loved it.
    hugs
    lillie

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    1. It was magical, Lillie-Belle, something we've never had before Ward, and I'mso grateful to him for giving our children these experiences. Thanks!

      (((hugs)))

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  10. Omg you two are so cute. I love those family moments just the 6 of us being together messing about and having a laugh. I have a friend who is a single mum and the ex doesn't really do much with her son. Sometimes when she comes here and they watch my husband with the kids ( specially when his messing play fighting with the oldest boy) I can see it in their faces that this is missing out of their lives. It makes me sad for her but also makes me realise how special it is and that not everyone has this life.
    We ha e those in the dark cuddles and talked and share our dreams. Usually after a hard ounishment we seem to feel lots closer and talk things through and let each other know how we feel. In these moments I think even the most thickest walls come down and we can communicate on a completely different level.
    You guys are doing great keep it up x

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    1. Thanks so much, Mustbecrazy. My ex was like that, he never spent time here, when he would go promised family places with us, he made it known that he had better things to do, was cold and snappy, the boys and I would be together playing & he would be off somewhere upstream fishing alone, or running the track at the playground, snapping at us, or not talking. So for us, Ward is ...well heaven-sent. I'm so grateful that Ward came to us when the boys were old enough to benefit from his mindfulness.

      The in the dark cuddles are amazing, and they serve to connect us after stressful days, or just days when we are too long without each other. I enjoy being so very connected.

      (((hugs))) and blessings :)

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  11. I love this very touching post. Ward, it sounds as though you family has exactly everything it needs. This post paints a picture of what a wonderful loving family unit you are. Those moments together as a family are priceless. Your youngest said it all.

    I too so love those after dark moments, just to two of you.

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Thank you, Roz. We have been extraordinarily blessed. These very simple things speak to us profoundly. He did, and he made me cry, and I saw Ward's eyes water up :)

      Those moments, away from the world - I treasure them.

      (((hugs)))

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  12. I am with Cat and the tears.

    We have had so many moments like that over the years, with our boys- yet somehow before ttwd I took Barney's part in them for granted. If that makes any sense? For example- snow forts with chocolate fondues in them. Thinking about them prior to ttwd I only thought how I was helping, and waitering food back and forth- not how Dad was sitting in there, building 'chairs' out of snow for everyone to sit on. The experiences for the boys were still great- but I missed the opportunity of appreciating my husband as a father back then. I'm not doing that anymore however.

    Thank you for sharing. It has made me think...again :)

    Willie

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    1. Aww, thanks, Willie :) It's amazing, and I so appreciate the the boys realize how special it all is.

      You know...I bet if you gave Barney a hug and thanked him for all those times, he would be so poignantly pleased and proud and grateful. It's never too late to express our thanks :)

      (((hugs)))

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  13. How precious are those messy kitchen moments with the kids? That's the kind of thing that sticks with you as an adult too. I can't think of anything that makes me as emotional as watching my husband with our kids...not to mention wishing for a freeze-this-moment-in-time machine!

    But the other part of this speaks to me too...those late night talks when you and your love talk about the future. It's bitter sweet to know that the time as a little family unit is fleeting...but so exciting to look ahead and dream about what the road ahead will look like for you as a couple. We have big plans too:)

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    1. That's the truth, Tess! It never fails to bring a tear to my eye when they come to us and say - remember when we... can we do it again? Because it means it made them feel good, and gave them security and grounding, and marvelous foundation.

      Oh, yes, we have to invest in our families, but we have to invest in each other, too. Children are God's gift, but only on loan. We love them, teach them, give them guidance and tools to be happy and successful at being good people, and then they leave us to forge their own lives and create their own strong families. And then we have each other, and whatever we put into us over the busier years.

      (((hugs)))

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  14. what a wonderful heart felt post and beautiful suggestion for another couple to try

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    1. Thanks most kindly, tiffany :) The simplest of things make the sweetest of memories.

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  15. @SirQsmlb - It is a truley magical time of the evening and we relish that quiet space in the dark. I try to be the man my family needs me to be and I think I'm getting better at it.
    @abby - We try to enjoy these special times, we know that they will go by too fast!
    @ians mrs - We love our family so much, it is pretty awesome being a dad! That quiet dark space is a very special time for us to connect and strengthen our bound.
    @Mustbecrazy - We love each other so much that our bond only strengthens with time. We are very pleased to see you here!
    @Wilma - Glad to see you here Willie! We are always glad when we can get folks to slow down and think about the wonders of everyday life!
    @Tess - Those messy moments are the stuff dreams and memories are made of! Thanks for stopping by!
    @tiffany - Thank you so much for stopping by and reading it's wonderful to make your aquaintance!

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    1. I know, Susie, aren't I a lucky girl? He is most amazing...even the boys see it (and you know how kids are, lol).

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