Small things

I do love me a good dose of symbolism.

Those of you who know me or have spent any time visiting here will not be surprised by that revelation.

So when I saw a tiny eyelash on the wall of our shower surround, sitting all by itself in the middle of white vinyl, I took a moment.

A little odd, I know. I’ve been this way since I was a kid. Always looking for the deeper meaning, the why and how. But lately, I’ve been indulging this pausing and noticing just a bit more.

So this eyelash, as it turns out, served as a reminder. Of love. Of blessing.

This small piece of eye hair had been connected to my husband or one of my three girls. Eyes into which I could gaze for days, eyes connected to people I love with all that is in me, eyes attached to some of my life’s deepest blessing.

I felt reminded in that moment: small is good.

Our world celebrates huge. Loud, massive contributions. World-changing on a super-size-me scale. And thank God for the courage and sweep of the big movers.

But I was reminded as I looked at that eyelash that small and subtle is beautiful.

Last night, Michael fed our girls dinner while I ate out with a new friend from church. When I returned home, he and my daughters were gathered on one bed, sharing what they love and appreciate about each other.

Last night after helping say prayers, give kisses and tuck in for the night, he got to work on budget reports. Four to complete by the next morning, Michael poured over them line by line. Something that makes my skin hurt to think about.

I stayed up with him for a while as he flipped through documents in a manilla folder and tapped on his laptop. Then I headed toward the stairs.

“I got the humidifier set up in the room for you, honey,” he said. “It’s all ready to go.”

This is not the stuff of greeting cards or romance novels, I realize.

But I had not even considered that I would need the humidifier. He had noticed my cough, knew I felt bedraggled and loved me.

One of a hundred small acts of love that Michael releases from his hand and lips daily. Without any desire for attention or acclaim.

He blessed me with small strokes of tenderness and care, small gestures of knowing.

Small can be so very good.

“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” — Mother Teresa

17 Comments

Pete Clemente on October 28, 2011 at 7:20 am

I love to look at my inbox each morning to see if I have received that days meaningful musings and reflections from you. I am never disappointed. Small is really big ! Love, Papa

Ashley Larkin on October 31, 2011 at 7:24 am

Thank you, Papa, for the encouragement to keep on writing! Love you!
Reply

spree on October 28, 2011 at 8:53 am

Ditto what your papa said!! And I love love love the reminder that you brought to us through a wee eyelash – Imagine the overflowing gratitude we would feel if we took notice of the small things, the many tiny miracles in our lives! Small, it turns out, is HUGE! Thank you Ashley! xo

kindy miller on October 28, 2011 at 10:14 am

sweet.

Ashley Larkin on November 1, 2011 at 11:27 am

Thanks, friend.
Reply

Ashley Larkin on October 28, 2011 at 10:29 am

Yes, Papa and Mama, the words “small is big” kept echoing through my head as I wrote. And yes, you’re so right — at least I really believe — that paying attention to the small is so key to joy! Love you!

Rebecca Folsom on October 28, 2011 at 10:47 am

you make me smile. LOVE reading, LOVE you :)

Ashley Larkin on October 31, 2011 at 7:22 am

Reebs, thanks so much for coming to visit me here. I am so glad I’ve brought you a smile! Love you!
Reply

Ali on October 28, 2011 at 4:46 pm

“Small is big”!! Attitude and gratitude are all about perspective and what we choose to focus on. Thank you for this simple reminder to go out and find the small things that make our love so big!!

Ashley Larkin on November 1, 2011 at 11:19 am

Sissy, yes, SMALL IS BIG! I love you and thank you for your dear and thoughtful words.
Reply

rachel obrien halbach on October 28, 2011 at 10:03 pm

i’m listening ashley, thanks for sharing.

Jo Wesson on October 28, 2011 at 11:09 pm

Enjoyed your writing, Ashley. Great reminder!
Jo

Ashley Larkin on October 29, 2011 at 9:27 pm

Thank you, Jo. So glad to see you here.
Reply

Mom on October 29, 2011 at 3:13 pm

I so enjoy your daily words of joy, gratitude,trust, love etc. Each morning I read them with my morning cup of tea. What a way to start the day – a bright ray of sunshine and a thought to keep in mind in our busy days !!!.
Yes, ” small things” are so precious.
xo Mom

Ashley Larkin on October 29, 2011 at 9:26 pm

Mom, thank you for your words. They mean so much. Love!
Reply

Sue on October 29, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts with us Ashley. Such a blessing. Sue

Ashley Larkin on November 1, 2011 at 11:19 am

Thank you so much, Sue.
Reply

Pete Clemente on October 28, 2011 at 7:20 am

I love to look at my inbox each morning to see if I have received that days meaningful musings and reflections from you. I am never disappointed. Small is really big ! Love, Papa
- Ashley Larkin on October 31, 2011 at 7:24 am
  
  Thank you, Papa, for the encouragement to keep on writing! Love you!
spree on October 28, 2011 at 8:53 am

Ditto what your papa said!! And I love love love the reminder that you brought to us through a wee eyelash – Imagine the overflowing gratitude we would feel if we took notice of the small things, the many tiny miracles in our lives! Small, it turns out, is HUGE! Thank you Ashley! xo
kindy miller on October 28, 2011 at 10:14 am

sweet.
- Ashley Larkin on November 1, 2011 at 11:27 am
  
  Thanks, friend.
Ashley Larkin on October 28, 2011 at 10:29 am

Yes, Papa and Mama, the words “small is big” kept echoing through my head as I wrote. And yes, you’re so right — at least I really believe — that paying attention to the small is so key to joy! Love you!
Rebecca Folsom on October 28, 2011 at 10:47 am

you make me smile. LOVE reading, LOVE you :)
- Ashley Larkin on October 31, 2011 at 7:22 am
  
  Reebs, thanks so much for coming to visit me here. I am so glad I’ve brought you a smile! Love you!
Ali on October 28, 2011 at 4:46 pm

“Small is big”!! Attitude and gratitude are all about perspective and what we choose to focus on. Thank you for this simple reminder to go out and find the small things that make our love so big!!
- Ashley Larkin on November 1, 2011 at 11:19 am
  
  Sissy, yes, SMALL IS BIG! I love you and thank you for your dear and thoughtful words.
rachel obrien halbach on October 28, 2011 at 10:03 pm

i’m listening ashley, thanks for sharing.
Jo Wesson on October 28, 2011 at 11:09 pm

Enjoyed your writing, Ashley. Great reminder!
Jo
- Ashley Larkin on October 29, 2011 at 9:27 pm
  
  Thank you, Jo. So glad to see you here.
Mom on October 29, 2011 at 3:13 pm

I so enjoy your daily words of joy, gratitude,trust, love etc. Each morning I read them with my morning cup of tea. What a way to start the day – a bright ray of sunshine and a thought to keep in mind in our busy days !!!.
Yes, ” small things” are so precious.
xo Mom
- Ashley Larkin on October 29, 2011 at 9:26 pm
  
  Mom, thank you for your words. They mean so much. Love!
Sue on October 29, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts with us Ashley. Such a blessing. Sue
- Ashley Larkin on November 1, 2011 at 11:19 am
  
  Thank you so much, Sue.