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We go on picnics, swing on the front porch, drive around town in Bubba and Tisha’s golf cart, play with the neighbor’s elderly lab, wave to passers by, and sit on the dock dangling our toes in the bay. It took me two weeks, but I think I have stopped rushing. Why rush when there’s nothing next?
We get dressed up and walk to church on Sunday mornings. Amma pushes her baby stroller and leaves it on the front lawn of the church during service. Tish carries her hot pink purse and trips over her silver glittery slippers the whole way there. Fancy purses and shoes are Tish’s favorite part of God.
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On Easter Sunday we sat beside a teeny old lady who looked like she’d been getting ready for service since Good Friday. I admired her sculpted white curls, her tailored suit, her pale pink fingernails and her delicate hands, which were wrapped around a snazzy pink plaid clutch. She wore a pearl necklace with matching earrings and perfectly applied cotton candy lipstick. During the service I looked down at her teeny little ankles and noticed a tattoo of a blue crab peeking through her nude hose. She saw me looking down at her ankle and she winked at me. I was thrilled. Monkees can recognize their own. I’ve decided that dainty tattooed elderly ladies in church pews are my favorite kind of people ever. I can’t wait to be one.
My favorite thing about our new town is the church bells. The first bells chime at nine, and then every three hours for the rest of the day. We can hear them from the front yard, from the dock, from the living room. From anywhere we are. I love them because they’re beautiful, and because they remind me all day to wake up and say thank you. Hearing the church bells makes me feel like God’s got His eye on our little town. Or at the very least, our town’s got its little eye on Him. It feels cozy, like we’re all in this together.
There is a glass door at the back of our house that frames the bay inside of it, and during the past two weeks, I’ve watched each person in my family stop at that door, look out at the water and sigh. Even Tish sighs a bit at that door. It’s like our bodies are designed to stop, relax and appreciate the water. At least my family’s bodies are. So there’s a lot of sighing going on here lately. Tish lays on the dock and when she feels the breeze on her face she says “Ahhh…This is my YIFE.” We think she means “This is the life.” But of course, we don’t correct her.
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Speaking of those people…this guy:
He’s loving it here. His wife is less agitated. His Corona matches his afternoon. He gets scruffier and saltier and in my opinion, more gorgeous with each passing day in this fishing town. I love him a little more, somehow, than I did before we left. One night several months ago, Craig and I were standing in the kitchen, listening to this song and dreaming about moving to the water. And now we’re here. We did it. That’s the best part. That he and I wanted something a little different and we did it. I am starting to wonder dangerous things, like Maybe There’s Nothing He And I Can’t Do Together.
Truly, the only lesson I’ve really learned during these past three weeks, and God willing, plan to keep learning for the rest of my life. . . is that it doesn’t matter a lick where this family lives. Where he is, where they are, is Home.
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Glennon, I'm soooooo happy for all of you!!! I think I smelled salt water when I was reading the post….
I am so so happy for you Glennon. I can't wait for the day that me and Chimmy can come and have our sleepover. The place is beautiful.
J♥Y PEACE L♥VE
Okay. I hate to be the Debbie Downer here, but this post scares the you-know-what out of me. I'm glad that G and the fam are relaxing, and I'm especially glad they are nearer to Bubba and Tisha. But I'm so so so so scared they will love it there enough to leave Northern Virginia and move away for good. I don't want that to happen. Just the thought of it makes me cry. I know I'm being selfish, but I can't help it.
G–you are living in my dream house and my dream locationl. You are just as happy as I always am in my dream. I am happier still because if any one else gets to live my dream —I am thrilled that it is you.
Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!!!!
Happy hugs to the Melton's by the bay!
I am smiling from ear to ear! What a great post! Life is good!
Kelly– our stories are so parallel. I'm a teacher too and I really struggled for the first year or two after my 2nd son. I had landed a really sweet part-time teaching job after my first son– a few hours in the afternoon 4 days/week with on-site day care. For many reasons, I had to leave it after #2, and I was so unhappy. And my oldest was really grieving all the changes in his life– leaving his wonderful school and having this new baby around. When the boys were 2 and 5, I found another part-time job that was for only 1 year, it was perfect because it reminded me that my skills/gifts aren't just about a particular job and that being home with the kids is a blessing, even when it is hard. I got my mojo back, and it helped me navigate a challenging twin pregnancy, a month of NICU and the needs of all those kids. THis moment will be over before you know it and you deserve to enjoy it. I wish I could have enjoyed that year or two, but I am thankful for the perspective it gave me.
It is so hard when they are little (who am I kidding? It's still hard!), but such an honor to be part of helping them to grow into the people they were created to be. You'll know if you are done– trust me.
have a great weekend!
Oh vrwfox! Thank you Thank you Thank you for that! My boys are 9 months and 2 years and I am a teacher and it is hard. I feel like a failure most of the time, as something or another. Despite all of the tears and stress I don't want to rule out more babies just yet. We have all we can handle today, but maybe one day I would feel so utterly spent. It is so good to know that it gets better and maybe one day we might be able to handle more. Thanks for sharing and for being so open!
Kelly
Kelly Cook-Ketcham– I bought mine in my 2nd son's first year! It really was a hard time for me. I had left a job that made me feel competent and successful and was instead home with a baby and a 3 year old who resented having to share me.
I am in a much better place right now– the boys are 5 years older and have been joined by twin sisters. Even after grocery shopping with 20 month twins today, I could smile and say "This is my YIFE!"
Looks like something I would rent for a vacation, Glen. Love it! Love you! Love the Meltons! When can I come over and bring my boys? (John and our doggie that is) ;P
To Vrwfox: That quote is on my wall! I love it. I had a really hard time after the birth of my second son. I bought that sign and hung it right where I could see it the minute I wake up. It really helped (helps) me live in the moment and appreciate what I have. Have a great weekend!!!
Word, vrwfox. Word. I think we need "This my YIFE" mugs. They would be an excellent add to the "I poo sprinkles" mugs, no?
I keep thinking about Tishy's, "This is my YIFE!" I need to take a second and say that to myself more often. And not with self-pity.
Reminds me of a Khalil Gilbran quotation I have on my fridge: Be thankful for this moment. This moment is your life.
G,
I'm so glad Team Melton is so happy and relaxed and loving it on the bay. But even w/ the cutie pie house, sunny kids, salty husband and sassy church ladies, I think my favorite thing is that you DRIVE A GOLF CART! Love it!
Thanks for letting us sisters still running the rat race kick back and dream "what if?" for a while. And for reminding me all over that even if I drive 495 for the rest of my days, that "Where he is, where they are, is Home."
Happy weekend, everyone.
It was either last night or this morning (they seem to run together sometimes) that you popped into my head and I wondered how your new home was treating you… and voila! I can feel your happiness through this post and it makes my heart smile. And as vrwfox noted… Thank you for the shirtless photo of Craig. That, too, makes my heart smile. Have a great weekend everyone!
Love it! So glad you all are breathing more easily. Sounds like the perfect place for healing of body, mind and spirit.
After I read your post, I got back in bed and looked out the window to my little backyard. You reminded me to keep saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you," for my little corner of the world.
And thank you to Craig for being shirtless yet again.
MaggieMAy!!!!! That's MY sister!! yay! she's here!
Ahhhhh and Amen.
I love that you're so happy. I love seeing your life. Hooray for the Meltons!!
What can this Monkee learn from Glennon's little girl dancing through bubbles in the front yard and the old lady with the tattoo in church?Freedom to be who we are; to not be afraid and to trust ourselves where we are at any given time or place.
And the last photo of Glennon kissing Craig — to love each other, no matter what is going on in our lives.
Kate
Wow. Loved the photos. Loved the writing. Love you.
I have tears because this sounds too perfect. I wish everyone could have a piece of this beauty. The little old lady and her crab tatto is just awesome. This life seems to fit you and your family. I can't hear the DMB song here at work (blocked) but I love DMB. As I sit here at my desk getting ready for the rat race it makes me think……..what am I doing? I still don't know what my purpose is but try not to overthink it. I am just too tired to do anything.
I don't know what my dream is when you ask others to post their dream and make it happen. Mostly I just wish for good health and hope my daughter's find their way because I don't know what to do anymore. Another dream is I wish I had no mortgage so we could live a little or at least breath. I want to work to live not live to work. How can I make that happen? I have an idea in my head (inventions) but don't know where to start. I have a great idea, but I don't want anyone to steal it! What do you do, go to a patent office? Call up the company you would like to be involved and have them pay you for it?
Oh I'm getting off subject here. Thanks for sharing. Love the pictures, that first picture of your daughter on the blanket looked like Paige to me! Have a great weekend. TGIF here ….
Terri
Wonder what meaning that tatoo holds for her.
Love, love, love it G. Every bit of it.
My favorite photo is you kissing Craig. I'm glad you've all found this respite. It is definitely a luxury – and perhaps that is why you were 'permitted' to get the Lyme and the other stuff that's keeping your energy low. Perhaps you needed a respite place and time so you can BE.STILL.AND.KNOW.
But, not all of us can/do get that kind of opportunity, so I'm totally ON with what April says: make that place in being a family together where you are.
Be grateful in all things. Have a super weekend.
Glennon, this is one of my favorite posts so far. I can actually feel how happy you and your family are. You and Craig give me such hope, thank you for that.
The Dave Matthews song was a nice bonus. I still credit you and Mandy for introducing them to me when I was 12. We were on one of our DC trips with Tony in the limo. You and Mandy were singing Ants Marching at the top of your lungs. It's a great memory. I still think of it when I hear that song.
p.s. My mom and I are going wedding dress shopping tomorrow!
It's working! I didn't even see the link initially. note: stop rushing, Molly! Beautiful song. Love DMB.
Glennon,
As a military wife who has moved 8 times in 11 years, you speak what we have learned along the way. Home truly is where your heart is. Each time we move I tell my kids, it doesn't matter where we're going. Some things will be new and change but will always stay the same is that WE will be together. Our family will look the same regardless of the home we live in or the neighborhood we haunt.
I love that you moved to where your heart can find peace in the chaos, if just for a moment.
April
Gorgeous. Love the pictures your sweet family. My favorite is the one of you kissing Amma.
I completely identify with the water and your love for it. LOVE it. Glass of ice water, loooong shower, walking down to the beach from our little house. I feel the same way as you. " Thank you, thank you, thank you." For me, the water in any form is so refreshing and cleansing and we all need that, right?
My favorite part about the elderly lady in church is not her tattoo… it is her "wink." Just that simple description allows us to see that flame still going strong in her. love it!
Happy for you and yours. Enjoy this beautiful weekend!
yep, it's working.
All these photos are so beautiful! I grew up on the water and am now suffering the horrors of being land-locked. On my office window (covering the view of the mountains) I have pictures of the Chesapeake with one of my favorite quotes – Like water, be gentle and strong. Be gentle enough to follow the natural paths of the earth, and strong enough to rise up and reshape the world.
I hope you and your family enjoy every minute of that beautiful view. How lucky for your kids to have such a wonderful place to spend their childhood!
I'm sooo happy for you!
Hey lovies,
Is the link to the DMB you tube song working in this post? Can't tell because the internet here is as slow as the afternoons….
So happy for you, Glennon. Hope this time seers a deep path from your heart to your mind so you will always know & remember what you said about…"Where he is, where they are, is Home."
G-
The next time I bring Lexy to visit her grandparents there we are totally sneaking away and coming to your house. It's much more peaceful than the marina, but that's a very long story… all I can say is that one weekend there we got to stay ACROSS the bay from said marina and it was one of the best most relaxing peaceful centering breathable warm loving… need I go on? Oh, yeah, close to God places I have ever been.
Congratulations to your family for remembering to breathe. Put your toes in the water for me today.
Love to your family.
OH MY LORD, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.
Come over come over come over!!
sister, email me!!!!
Ummm … I'm flabbergasted. I know the little town… My parents live across the street in the little white cape cod with ridiculously overgrown boxwoods.
I love this town… It is my respite. It, in fact, will be my respite beginning at 4 pm-ish today.
If you hear the screaming 3 year old twins, that would be me.
Wow, that sounds amazing Glennon.
Oh Glennon. I love it. I hope one day Chris and I will have the courage to do what you and Craig have done. I know God will take care of each and every one of us if just take a leap of faith. I know He will. I am glad He is taking care of you.
Have a wonderful weekend sweet girl.
Tricia
Love, love, love this post. I am going to look out at my back yard and try to sigh with thanksgiving and wonder. I think it just might work. I am so glad you have found a little slice of heaven to savor, and can't wait to hear more of your slowing down adventures.
Thank you, Bubba. Thank you. I also sneaked in the house and took two Diet Cokes.
You forgot to plug in the golf cart when you returned. Just sayin.
Bubba
Gorgeous, gorgeous post.
So glad to hear that it's working out. And the dainty tattooed elderly lady sounds awesome …