"Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are -- chaff and grain together -- certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away." George Eliot
I saw this quote today, and I loved it. It expresses perfectly how I feel about my closest friends and family members. And of course, someone that I immediately thought of was Ryan.
Earlier this week, I was super stressed out about school. I am convinced that teaching is one of the busiest, most demanding professions in the world--if you do it right. I had been staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning planning lessons and assignments--and then getting up at 5 a.m. to get ready, commute to work, and be ready for the kids at 7:15. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. One evening on my way to some meetings at church, I called Ryan. I was ranting and raving, venting and whining, and, as usual, he listened patiently and told me he loved me.
When I came home from the meetings, ready to face another long night, I walked into a spotless house. He had done all the dishes, swept, picked up, done the laundry--everything looked perfect. After giving him the biggest hug ever, I asked him why he had done that for me. He said, "Well, when I talked to you on the phone, it sounded like your life feels pretty out of control right now. So, I figured that if everything else is a mess, the least I can do is make sure our house is really clean. I thought it might make you feel better."
Ryan is my quiet, thoughtful, amazing friend. When I talk to him, he hears what I am saying--and perhaps what I am not saying--and he does all he can to help. He doesn't just listen and then forget.
"Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort" of having Ryan in my life.
I saw this quote today, and I loved it. It expresses perfectly how I feel about my closest friends and family members. And of course, someone that I immediately thought of was Ryan.
Earlier this week, I was super stressed out about school. I am convinced that teaching is one of the busiest, most demanding professions in the world--if you do it right. I had been staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning planning lessons and assignments--and then getting up at 5 a.m. to get ready, commute to work, and be ready for the kids at 7:15. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. One evening on my way to some meetings at church, I called Ryan. I was ranting and raving, venting and whining, and, as usual, he listened patiently and told me he loved me.
When I came home from the meetings, ready to face another long night, I walked into a spotless house. He had done all the dishes, swept, picked up, done the laundry--everything looked perfect. After giving him the biggest hug ever, I asked him why he had done that for me. He said, "Well, when I talked to you on the phone, it sounded like your life feels pretty out of control right now. So, I figured that if everything else is a mess, the least I can do is make sure our house is really clean. I thought it might make you feel better."
Ryan is my quiet, thoughtful, amazing friend. When I talk to him, he hears what I am saying--and perhaps what I am not saying--and he does all he can to help. He doesn't just listen and then forget.
"Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort" of having Ryan in my life.
Rachel! This is Katie, your favorite ever, and Lindsey's little sister. I just want you and Ryan to know how happy I am you have joined the blogging world so that I can keep up with your life! You are truly amazing!
ReplyDeleteRyan is the best. And I love that quote - I'm not the biggest literature buff but I think I'd like to put it up in my house somewhere.
ReplyDeleteYeah...Logan is doing the dishes as we speak...while I check your blog. :) How in the world did we get so lucky?! (And by the way, honey buns, if you are spending until 2 am on a lesson you are spending TOO MUCH TIME on it! Most high school kids don't even pay attention most of the time. Sad, but true. Simplify and make a goal to stop with the school work at midnight. It'll be good for you...at least a good start!) :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah. You've got to have a time to get off of work. I get off work to on the weekends I refuse to do any dishes. lol.
ReplyDelete