There are few things I love more than words. Words are so simple, yet when connected with other words they create powerful and meaningful messages. Perhaps that’s why I love writing. So I’m sure it’s no surprise that certain stories and poems regularly dance through my head.
One in particular is Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. The final verse is this…
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
These words danced through my head while I stayed up all night packing before my many college moves. These words danced through my head when I stayed up all night preparing for exams in grad school. And these words definitely danced through my head during 3 am feedings with my little ones.
Tonight Denny and I drove home from his parent’s house and the words of Robert Frost again played over and over in my head as we made our way down the highway with our two little loves in the backseat. Our initial plan wasn’t to come home at night but after our drive there we realized that Mitchell is not a fan of his car seat. So around 9 pm with large coffees to go, we started the four-hour trek home in hopes that both Makenzie and Mitchell would sleep.
Makenzie was so uncomfortable and unable to sleep that I eventually had to climb into the backseat and squish between the two car seats with the hope of calming her down so that she could get a few winks of sleep.
The closer we got to home, the tighter I squeezed my buckled-up baby, and the more my mind raced. We had miles to go, but I kept thinking about everyone else in our life who has miles to go. During the past year we’ve seen some of the people we love most walking many long miles on life’s journeys. Some journeys are to strengthen relationships, some are to learn to let go. Some journeys are to find answers and some are to find cures.
……………………..
It is now 3 am. We’re home and our babies are finally sleeping in their beds. The Easter Bunny stopped by the house and we’re just a few hours from Easter morning, yet my mind keeps racing. So as we approach the sunrise of Easter morning, perhaps the Hope of this day will bring new strength to all those who have miles to go before they sleep. Perhaps we will all try to be more mindful of those around us silently trekking along on journeys. And perhaps, if we’re lucky, our miles will have someone we love to hold us until we make it home.
Sweet Dreams and Happy Easter to you and your families!
XOXO
Erin
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