They left a grand mess. We cleaned for a week. Five minutes after my family's arrival, the house was turned back into the swiss cheese we'd begun with last Monday. Toys were scattered about, dirt traded places with Mr. Clean, sheets twisted like they'd visited tornado alley...I'm still finding marshmallows torpedoed from my favorite new Christmas present, a marshmallow shooter...a grand mess. They left the lights on. My beautiful wood floor reveals the footprints left by them. Water stains tell the story of where three dogs drank their fill. They left a grand mess. Empty wine and beer bottles fill my closet and we filled my garbage can completely. They left a grand mess.
And I mean GRAND...the echoes of their laughter still spill from my walls. I hesitated at each room a moment, before turning off the lights, remembering them. The kids screamed and laughed and played...and sometimes got into a little trouble. Uncles and Aunts laughed at their shenanigans even as their parents did not. We couldn't help it actually. The kids were everything they were supposed to be and the parents were everything they were supposed to be. We enjoyed brilliant, private time with the children. Monique and I were allowed to love them well this weekend.
The Elgersma clan (made up of Elgersmas, Hostetlers, and Beaumonts - also referred to as the Elgerbeaustetlers) visited for Christmas...334 days early--well maybe we met 30-something days late. When can't one remember the Savior? Whatever one can say, it was grand. We played games, gobbled up amazing meals in every...health group (fantastic beef and ham Sandwiches, yummy Chili, Pork Roasts, and the most amazing Krispy Cream-Carmel Santa-Clausifying breakfast in my memory), enjoyed time swimming, playing outside and watching movies. I played my guitar and we sang together. We goofed around with hair pins, balls and the like. We enjoyed a little dutch cookie Sinterklaas treat (pepernootjes) and downed a few M & M's. We ate Sunday breakfast at Church and enjoyed each other's company there. We listened to a loving sermon and shared communion together, sang by guitar (Rob played this time), and finally that afternoon, said our goodbyes.
We were delighted they were here. We enjoyed the celebration. And we made a grand mess. No mess means they weren't here. We can't have that.
Homes should reveal where they've been, where they are, and reflect the things that happen and the ways that make them 'homes.' Mine does. The mess was - and is - so grand. I don't mind picking up after us this week. Each piece carries a memory and I'm good with that. Neat and tidy is okay too, but one should live somewhere. God doesn't expect a sterile lifestyle from His people...
They're our family. This weekend came with the marvelous, the amazing, the good, bad and ugly. A grand mess it was. We left a Grand, Marvelous, Happy and Holy mess--so very Grand.
9 comments:
You had a blast didn't you?
Thanks for being wonderful hosts and for cleaning up after us. It was GRAND!
Rick, this typifies it beautifully. It was a wonderful weekend, and you were such gracious hosts. I'm glad it was so wonderful, since it may be the last time your wife lets the Hostetler clan into her home again.
That's a fantastic post; I love how you closed it. Usually I have a spotless house. What's worse is that when my husbands sister and 4 kids (all elementary age under) come over, my whole body tenses up. I get soooo stressed because I keep and teach my 2 kids to stay tidy and clean so when their 4 young cousins cover over to play it feels like that too; as if a freakin' tornado hit! I swear I can always feel my blood pressure rising. But what you share has a valuable point; without somewhat of a mess, means the presence wasn't enjoyed, especially when it comes to kids who are common about exploring things.
It sounds like you had a good ole' fashioned time and I loved the guitar and communion part; that's awesome.
Thanks for putting the reminder in me to relax a bit when company comes over! :D
~Sarah
Oh....yes, I totally agree with what you wrote on my post on misinterpreting emails. Emails, like all forms of non-verbal communication has it's failures, yet emails, texts, & blogging comments also have it's great rewards. And we woulnd't want to risk losing out on the blessed rewards just out of fear of the later. I agreed with you completely! Blessings!
Mr. Rick: This is a Grand post. I could read every bit of the Grand Time had by all in it. You have a grand looking family too.
fasthair
wish we could join, did you make the pepernootjes by yourself?
Shucks, I wish I had that weekend to look forward to again --- soon. Exhilarating!
A grand, grand time that I wish we could look forward to again --- soon. Exhilarating!
Whoops, I didn't think I had posted the first time so rewrote it and now you have a remake on the first thought.
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