The Sweetness of Sunday Afternoon

Sunday afternoon . . . yes, I know that it's Monday, but yesterday was Sunday, and it is the sweetness of Sunday afternoon that prepares me to face Monday.   Back to Sunday afternoon . . . Sunday afternoon we walk back in the house from church.  The whirl of getting out of bed early, rushing through breakfast and preparing for church is behind us.  We carry with us the peace from attending our Sunday School and church service.  We begin the reassuring pattern that guides many Sunday afternoons.

We settle down to a quickly prepared lunch (it's already past lunchtime) consisting of peanut butter and jelly, leftovers, or the occasional special treat of deli-turkey & cheese sandwiches (yes, deli-meat is an occasional treat in this house).  Then, the kids play on the floor or lounge on the couch.  The baby plays and walks from Mommy to Daddy to be reassured that he is no longer in the nursery.  I (might) put a load of dishes in the dishwasher. 

Now comes the best part of the day . . . nap time.  Mommy (me) or Daddy (my hubby) puts the baby (a.k.a. Little Man) down for a nap.  One or more of the boys might take a forced rest because of the early wake up time that morning.  I almost always lay down for a little while.  If I'm really lucky, I might get snuggle time with one of the boys who were forced to take a "rest".  Sleep may or may not happen, but it is not the sleep that is important.  It is the rest.  The quiet.  The contemplation.  After a little rest, the big boys (that includes Daddy) often take time to play the Wii, watch sports or even a movie.  I might read. 

Then, we contemplate dinner.  It is always light . . . no big Sunday family dinner traditions here.  Yesterday, we had salad topped with leftover chicken from the night before, homemade biscuits with homemade peach jam that Brian's mom made and grapes.  After dinner, the rest of Sunday afternoon  leads into preparation time for Monday.  The evening often includes dish duty, vacuuming, thinking through the week and spending a few more moments together.  But, it is the sweetness of Sunday afternoon that really prepares me for the week!

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