Thinking About Previously Important Things

I became a mother 5 years ago, and about 6 months after that I started this blog where I have journaled (more or less) what life has been like for us.  Since I started I've had two more children, moved twice, once across provinces, and my husband has realized his dream of becoming a minister.  It's not surprising, then, that my interests have changed.  I used to blog a lot about the topics that most interested or affected me in early parenthood - there's a post on my indignation at the public health nurse who was upset that my one year old didn't like solids, there are a whole series of posts on my opinion on the trend of treating cloth diapers as precious, delicate items.  I have posts on how to be frugal and books to read on keeping house that I found helpful and so on.

My life has changed a lot in four and a half years.  I was thinking about this the other day when I was doing diaper laundry.  It used to be that when I saw a friend discuss their diaper wash routine I felt compelled to jump in, and that feeling isn't there anymore.  I don't really care about someone's laundry detergent choices!  Or if you use plastic or glass storage in the kitchen, or even, to some extent, if you breast or bottle feed your baby.  In some cases, like with breastfeeding, I'm confident with my choice and don't really have any desire to talk to you about your choice, and in some cases, like cloth diapers, I just don't feel the passion anymore.  I use them, but I don't have any attachment to my choice.

I'm not sure, actually, that I have any mothering or domestic passions now in the same way that I had then.  A part of me is sad about this - when I felt really strongly about something I think it gave me an anchor, and now I'm just living.  Sure, there are topics that come up from time to time that spark my interest; I'm thinking meal planning, homeschool curriculum choices, crochet, making preserves in the kitchen, decluttering and organizing....but it's rare that I feel passion and deep deep interest in any of these topics.  They're just a part of life and spice in the routine.

Is this normal, I ask myself?  And I think it is.  I'm a big fan of the concept of 'seasons' in life (right along with the Bible) and this is a season.  It's a less exciting season in some ways, but it's also just as wonderful in other ways.  I'm not obsessed with eco-friendly cleaners at the moment, but I'm also present with my children and my life and I'm living through these days in the best way I can and that's also worthy and important.  I think, actually, that this is life, and what it should look like - a gentle interest in those around us and the topics that affect our lives.