Home is Connection and Chaos

Driving home from a long day of school, the sunset is stunning on a cold winter day. Stepping through the doorway, it is quiet but not for long. Soon the TV is blaring, the kids are shouting excitedly because dad is home, the house is overflowing with clutter, and now my parents are disagreeing. Supper is being prepared. The smell of soup filling the house with anticipation of deliciousness. Mom and Dad are compromising from a conflict and are hugging. It’s supper time, my siblings are coming up to eat for a family meal. There are some stories being told, some good and some not. Supper is over. The clinking and clanking of dishes being loaded and the complaints of my siblings not wanting to do their chores. The kids are getting ready for activities. The chaos begins to follow. My siblings are asking my parents where they put their equipment, their shirts, and their water bottles. My parents start scrambling, but we all get out the door on time. Coming home from activities with our tired bodies ready to relax, we are sitting down in the living room. After having conversations about life, us tired kids are sinking into bed with the pillow to rest our sleepy heads. It’s morning time, with the hustle and bustle of getting ready, brushing our teeth, cleaning our rooms, eating our breakfast, getting out the door. We are going to school and parents are heading to work. The sun has not risen yet, but the sky is beginning to lighten.