Every morning, I get to sleep in--as late as 8 a.m. if I'm lazy enough--before Dad's booming voice resonates through the house, waking the occupants.
Breakfast is quite often raw cakes: chocolate and whipped cream or cheesecake topped with strawberries, just picked with the dew still on them from the garden.
Farm chores finds the barnyard swarming with children of various sizes, all whistling, chewing on blades of grass, swinging buckets and talking sweetly to the animals.
As the dew lifts off the pasture, the work begins. Not mind dulling repetitive work, but exhilarating, creative mind expanding work to strengthen both body and soul with feelings of creativity, accomplishment and pride.
Lunch is a hearty, well rounded meal displaying the fruits of our labors on the table in front of us, as we bow to give thanks for the ability we have to produce for ourselves the nourishment we receive.
The bread is freshly ground wheat from the night before, by the still pulsating muscles in my Dad's and brothers' arms.
The cheese was made by my very patient mother, who is diligently pursuing perfection in this age old craft of cheese making.
The salad is just picked by the small hands of my younger siblings, put together to perfection by Momma and topped with a tasty dressing, that sister dear just made up.
The cold glass of milk was just extracted out of an udder the night before by my brothers and is just as refreshing as it is delicious!
The meat has a name, as nobody is quick to forget Buddy the bull that we raised on our farm, even though most of the memories are without much affection...
The eggs were carried in in the fist of a seven year old who very diligently keeps track of the egg production day by day.
...I could go on all day, but you get the idea.
Every afternoon I get to lope through fields of wild flowers, bare back on a pony with my bare feet feeling the tickle of the long grass and my eyes taking in glorious mountainous views.
The afternoon work is often interrupted by a solar shower while the sun is high... definitely the most pampering, relaxing moment of the day.
After showering, I weed and snack awhile in the garden while my hair dries in the sunshine and breeze.
Berry picking in the back field, surrounded by my adorable laughing siblings, is a peaceful, frequently enjoyed experience.
Every blazing evening sky is rudely announced by many voices of screaming, laughing children in our routine evening badminton and volley ball games.
Every night leaves some quiet time for a rosary, whether said alone in the back field or as a family on the front porch.
Every day is ended with many kisses and declarations of "I love you," and "see you in the morning!" from my siblings and parents, as we all get ready for bed.
Every night as I'm falling asleep, I can't help but smile as I recall my day and whisper a prayer of thanks to God for how very good my life is.
I do live in heaven, and I know it. I say this not to invoke jealously, but to recollect and appreciate my life and in doing so, encourage you to bring this kind of heaven down here to earth in your own lifestyles. Trust me--the return is out of this world!!
