Breathing Space

by Michele Boy | August 14, 2025

I slipped away for a quick getaway for back to school clothes shopping, visiting family, some good food, and a trip to Barnes and Noble. 
We left Thursday afternoon and returned Sunday. 
It was triple digit heat when we left our sheep in good hands to be taken care of, and we got away. 
Hour by hour I felt the weight of newspaper, scheduling, and responsibilities slip away. 
It was the only time we could carve out this summer before going back to school. 
On our way home there were severe storms that delayed our return. We checked the radar often, slowed our speed, stopped extra, and rerouted. 
We returned home safely and I slept in my own bed. When I woke up, my husband and daughter had gone to the barn to work and I had been given the gift of sleeping in. 
I laid in bed with a cup of coffee and several books I had purchased from a bookstore. I smiled. 
As I picked one up to read, it was a beautiful reminder of stopping and just enjoying my space for a bit. 
Monday, the first day of school, and scheduling would come soon enough. 
But just for those moments, I was filled up with quiet and joy. Thoughts of to do lists begin to clutter my space, but I quickly push them away promising myself nothing until noon. This space was sacred and beautiful and cleansing. 
Sunday was also the day before school starts and the day was precious. It was for me and my family before the world took over. It was for preparing, working our lambs, and chilling out a little. 
Monday would start a new year. Classes, friends, activities, and new adventures will begin for our daughter. For me, schedules and routines will be both comforting and sometimes limiting. But watching her smile makes it all worthwhile. We have three weeks until state fair. 
And then Sunday afternoon, several pieces of unwanted news came in. Hail had hit some of our crops worse than we thought, some personal news upset the balance of things quickly. In moments I was back in the fearful and anxious place. 
I kept repeating faith over fear. Faith not fear. God’s got this. God, take care of this. But I just couldn’t shake the feelings. 
I slept little that night worrying and stressing. I thought about the work that had accumulated while I had been gone as well.
Morning came and I sent my girl off to school unsure of how it would go for her. Every year it is the same thing. On the first day, I stress until I see her after school.
Things I was worried about never happened. A late text reassured me I had made up what I thought someone’s response would be.
Then I saw something that said Godfidence God-fi-dence. Knowing I can’t but knowing He will. 
I stopped to remember all the things He had gotten me through in the past. He is such a big God and I sometimes make my tiny situations, my molehills, into mountains.
 When we got to the sheep barn after the first day of school, I watched the sun setting behind a tree. Peace flooded me again. 
 Every situation isn’t going to go the way we plan. There will be challenges, losses, and struggles that make us stronger. But there will be victories too. There will be opportunities that come.  
 That Sunday morning peace isn’t there right now. Schedules, bills, mowing my yard, the endless checklists that come with wife, mom, newspaper editor. The worry is part of my day to day again. 
Hopefully, Sunday was a reminder of carving out some time to shut the world off once in a while. 
The lists will be there when you get back.