Last Friday morning it was very quiet and still.
Too quiet and still.
“Gemma?” I called. “Where’d you go?”
***
Backstory –
In an effort to annoy the ever-lovin’ life out of Tess, when she was herself stealing pacis, Max began to hoard all of the pacifiers. He would scour the girls’ room for them and squirrel them away and what began as an obnoxious habit became a blessing because suddenly we knew where to find the pacis. Glory be, who knew it could be that simple?!
***
Friday morning –
I called for Gemma and headed to her usual spots – our room for the Ipad, their room with my phone, the bathroom for anything that can be squeezed, sprayed or splashed. But she was not there. Second string places came to mind and I peeped into the boys’ room. Sometimes she likes to dig into their candy or Slim Jim stash. This particular morning, though, I glanced in and saw just the tips of her knees above the guard rail and heard . . . purring.
“Gemma? Whatcha doing?”
She froze and there was a pause.
“Mama! Look! I find all the pacis!”
Best day ever in her book. She counted them. She caressed them. She stacked and sampled and sorted them. She was in heaven and it was pure bliss.
It was a beautiful reminder to enjoy the little things. And to give her brother a raise.
So, when I first read the title of this blog, I read the word “Pacis” in Latin, where it means “Peace” (genitive case). “All the peace.” Whole different meaning. Perspective of a consecrated woman with a theology degree.
Thanks for sharing, Susan! Yes, peace for Gemma AND for Annie!
Did you ever hear this family story? Once, when Jon lost his pacifier, my dear MIL paid the older brothers a quarter to find it. It seemed like a clever idea to Mom, so every time it was missing, she paid the finders fee. Suddenly, the pacifier was lost more and more often, and those brothers were getting richer and richer! Boys! Always thinking. . . .
Oh Gemma… you make my heart melt