Beauty all around...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I know.

For me, the beautiful things are usually the small things. They are the way my husband smiles a half smile that makes a dimple just at the corner of his mouth. It's the smile that says "I'm holding back a perfectly delicious witty or sarcastic comment right now." It's the smile that won my heart.

Belle has that same little dimple sometimes, and while it doesn't necessarily come attached to a witticism, it is equally mischievous. It is her "I'm getting away with something just by being cute!" smile. In either face, it makes me thankful for my life.

The beautiful things are a clean kitchen floor, swept by my hubby before he left for work. It will surely be messy again by the time he comes home, but I like to think that sweeping this morning was less about a clean floor, and more about a gesture of love. He knows how much better I feel when the floor isn't littered with crumbs.

The beautiful things are the words of a child, reminding me that I too am different on purpose. I've been feeling like I don't fit in a lot recently. My soul has been in want of a niche. I've been feeling like I need to change myself so that I'll fit better... but that sweet 6 year old is wise beyond her years. I am different on purpose. There is beauty in being me, in my quirks, my insecurities, my ever increasing girth. There is beauty in knowing that I don't have to be like anyone else in order for my Heavenly Father to love me. There, I fit. Always.

Beauty is in the e-mail exchanges I've been having with a dear friend, the talk about everything and nothing, and the feeling that I am not expected to be any different than I am here. I can be real, be honest, be completely me and not worry about offending  the reader. We have known each other long enough to be at ease in our friendship. She has seen me in my worst moments, so I have nothing to fear.

Beauty is a song that makes me want to get up out of my recliner and move on with my day, even though my body seems to want to sleep a little longer, my head wants to pound a little harder, and my feet are starting to feel puffy. Because from this side of the morning, I couldn't care less. :)