“Won’t you sit down and rest a spell,” invited my mom. My guilty conscience magnified the pleading in her voice.
“Mom, I would love to, but I’m so busy,”
“That’s the reason you should rest a spell,” she observed quite correctly.
I am trying to justify how it is that I can work a six-hour shopping trip into my schedule; then come by to see mom but still don’t have time to “sit a spell.” I think of that time when I had a sick spell and she came to stay with me for three days; how she comforted me when I had a spell over that crazy boy in the fifth grade and he dumped me for my best friend, the long hours she drilled me in spelling hard words to prepare me for the spelling bee, how hard she worked to see that I dressed in a way to spell “chic” when I was in college.
*********** I called my husband and told him to grab a bite to eat at the drive-thru, because I wouldn’t be home in time to cook supper. Than sat down to hold her hand and bask in the bewitching spell of her love.
“Okay, mom. Let’s play “Remember When” and you tell me about all the roughs spells you have been through.”
She chuckled as she said, “Honey, I’ll start with your birth – that was a loo-loo, but you are worth every minute…..”
****************
Challenge to use the word “spell”
https://lindaghill.com/2017/04/21/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-apr-2217/Linda SoCS
Sweet aroma 
I love this ❤️
Thank you. 😀 I appreciate your reading and commenting.
Stories like this are soooo necessary in our busy lives.
Nicely done. J.
Thank you. 😀
a very enjoyable spell 😀
Glad it spelled fun for you. 😀
This is so sweet and heartfelt. We should take note that we should not allow our busy schedule to take all of our time and forget about family and friends that may need some extra time and understanding from us.
Thoughtfulness in this way can lead to much happiness. I miss the rest home ministry I used to do. The Lord has restored so much to me since illnesses. Maybe I can do it again before long. However, it will have to be with somebody else’s mother. Mine has been gone a long time. At my age I need to be taking time to visit my kids and grands. They invite me much more often than I go. Values and priorities. Sometimes we can really mess them up! Thanks for the comment. 😀
To go along with spell – your post is magical.
Why thank you. I didn’t recognize it as a magical spell! 😀
It is always good to sit a spell when invited. Loved reading this.
People who say”sit a spell” are probably good conversationalists. Or at least silence is comfortable with them.
Beautiful and such an important reminder. Thank you. (Do you remember an old song called the ‘cat’s in the Cradle”?. It was an old country music classic about a young man who wanted his dad to sit ‘for a spell’ and talk to him. Dad was too BUSY. Then in the fullness of time an old, old man wanted his son to stop and sit for a ‘spell and talk. The son’s answer Dad, sorry I’m just too busy. I always felt it was a sad reflection on life. Your blog today has reinforced to me the importance of ‘sitting for a spell’ in the here and now. Thank you!
I do remember the song, Faye. It is a song my son used to sing. I’m glad you reminded me; I had forgotten the title. I’m glad my story daughter made the right decision. I’m sure hubby did okay with just a fast food treat for a while. 😀
A special story. And so true for a lot of us. 🙂
Since the story has a good ending, may it be true for all. 😀
Very true. 🙂
I’m gonna go call my mom now💕
😀 😀
Taking time to just be with someone is crucial for our well-being, especially those who have given so much! And the most effective form of communication .. unless sitting I doubt we really ‘hear’ what they are saying. Well written Oneta!
Yes, sitting does indicate a willingness to listen Standing is a reminder that I’ve got to go. Thanks for your comment, calmkate. 😀
Thank you for a pertinent post!
This post really touched me, Oneta. I have so many regrets about not knowing how to meet my mom’s needs after my dad died… Mom passed October 1998. Seems like just yesterday.
Too Busy
My weeks were busy, full of chores,
No time for you and visiting stores.
I didn’t have much time, I felt,
To help you sort your life all out.
And when you’d call with special needs
Like, “Could you get bananas, please?”
All the groceries off I’d drop,
I didn’t have much time to stop,
Then hurriedly head out the door.
I wish I’d stayed a whole lot more.
Your life without dad crept by so slow,
Your spirits , they would get so low.
Instead of being there for you,
I always had too much to do.
Now you’re no longer at my side,
Your fears and worries to confide.
Your yarn and crafts are put away,
There is no longer time to say,
“I love you, mom, what’s on your mind?
I know the answers we can find.”
To give a hug, a bit of cheer,
To wipe away a weary tear.
My weeks are still busy,
My life is still fast,
But my heart is hurt and aching
For I understand at last
That a mother is so precious
and forever cannot stay.
How I wish that I could tell you
All the things I feel today.
A lovely poem, Calen. I understand so well. I wrote a letter to my mom after she was gone in sorrow, thinking of how I could have done so much more. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me in that way.
This is delightful and poignant at the same time. A friend and I were talking the other day about how much we wish we could have just one day more with each of our parents. When she asked what I’d do if I had that time, I said I wouldn’t “do” anything — except just sit, and talk a little, and of course say “I love you.” Not much more than that ever is needed — but it can be so hard for us to take the time for such simple things in the midst of our complex lives.
Thank you, Linda. There is not much chance now to have “family communities” as were common in the past. Our culture is so transient. A move up the business ladder so often entails moving. On the bright side for me right now is the possibility of grandchildren moving closer. Good things happening on the personal front. I understand what you mean by not needing to “do anything” except to “just sit-a-spell” and listen. Did you blog this week? I missed it if you did. I’ll go right now and check. See you over there maybe.
I worked elderly care for most of my life and have seen this play out time and time again. It is a sad reality all too often. Well written little lesson for everyone.
Sadly most of the time, the daughter (or son) make the choice to move on. We have some common experiences, it sounds like. I worked for five years for a church in their visitation program for the elderly. Thanks for reading and commenting.