Sunday with Aubrey

A few weeks ago I decided to participate in a Lenten Study at my church. A good friend of mine was facilitating the group, so I knew the evening would be well organized with rich discussion. Each week we have been challenged to examine a part of our life and bring a mindfulness to the choices we are making.   

On Wednesday, March 3rd, we discussed what the word Sabbath means and each of us were asked to reflect on how we spend our Sundays. We were encouraged to spend the following Sunday, in what I refer to, as active reflection.  

On Friday, March 6th, we brought home Aubrey.  

Aubrey is a black/white/fawn colored Havanese puppy and was a surprise birthday present for our 17th year old daughter, Lucy. The events surrounding Aubrey’s arrival were joyful (lots of emails and baby pictures floating among friends) and comical. I went wild on Amazon one night and all sort of dog paraphernalia started arriving on our door step.  Lucy got really suspicious when PET, Inc. sent us a package followed by dogtoys.com. Our older son, Phil having arrived home from college for Spring Break, firmly insisted it was for ”Mom’s zen business.“  And while she was convinced I was up to something he was so dismissive that she dropped the inquiry. Lucy’s surprise and delight were magical when she returned home from work to find Aubrey. She enthusiastically slept on an air mattress by her during those first 2 nights. By Sunday (as predicted by my husband) the magic started to wane and fatigue set in. It became clear that Lucy would be a wonderful big sister to Aubrey, but I would be her mother.

So how did I spend that Sunday – well most of it was with Aubrey. And while I was mentally prepared for a new puppy and physically prepared with dozens of toys, it took me some time to adjust to my new reality. I was no longer able to use Sunday as prep time for the week ahead.

Aubrey, unexpectedly, brought Sabbath back into my life. Her desire for play, and walks in Open Lands followed by mid-afternoon naps, has brought a sense of joy and peace into our house. With Aubrey I’m forced to notice all sort of things – the sounds of the big geese that scare her, her love of crunching leaves in her paws and chasing them in the wind. The surprise of water going down a drain or winter grasses swaying in the wind

I’ll never forget that first Sunday afternoon when she landed in my lap exhausted and fell asleep. I spent the first 5 minutes trying to figure out how I could gently lay her down so I could get my weekly prep done and then remembered my spiritual practice for the week. There is nothing like being forced to stay connected to the moment and then allowing yourself intentionally to be brought into the experience. She is a gift.

She has also reminded me of the quiet Sunday afternoons I had as a child. Church was “a must” growing up. Then home for lunch followed by a relaxing afternoon. Our huge treat was dinner on tray table while watching Walt Disney. I wasn’t allowed to go play with friends on Sunday; it was “family time.” It wasn’t an issue as all of my friends were with their families too. No stores were open, there were no kids’ sports events – really nothing competed for my time during those days.

I’m not sure if I’m reflecting on those times without the lens of adult eyes, or if they were really that much simpler, but in my memory we all seemed to have a quiet day of co-existence.

So this month in the spirit of reclaiming our Sundays, Jane and I are planning a Super Slow Sunday Instagram giveaway. It will be your chance to share your Sunday Zen and and opportunity to score a trio of our Zen Blends over a trio of Sundays. Details to follow!

Zen Moment

“The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.”

– Moliere