Those Lunch Breaks

 I've had these thoughts in my head a lot about visiting my dear sister at her house with her precious boys, and how it's not only a treasured time but also in some ways it can feel like reciprocating. 

I so much appreciated her visiting me during my lunch breaks- a benefit for both of us and every time buying or bringing me something that was so thoughtful and generous- a salad, a treat from Paris Baguette, lunch from Panera, a coffee. So sweet!

Those lunch breaks fueled me with gratitude and inspiration for the rest of the workday. And our time together always ended too soon, usually only 20 or 30 mins which felt like barely 10 mins had gone by! I always felt understood, seen by her.

 I often felt like I was just getting by with my job, and my coworker who was very opposite of me. How refreshing it was to see a sister in the middle of the day and her boys to mix up the routine for both of us! It was hard to end our precious time at those parks close by to my job, since we knew our time together was so vital for our days, needed inspiration and encouragement in our unique seasons.

I will always remember when she told me she was pregnant at one of those parks. It was early March, a gloomy, drab Friday, and somewhat going through the motion at work. But seeing her at my lunch break, and her sharing the news was a balm to my soul, a delight to my heart and I was so happy for her- and hearing in person, just us was a joy. I felt no longer downtrodden once I went back to work. 

Or another time- her and Santiago decorated a park table with yellow flowers just for me. 

Or when she gave me coffee in a beautiful coffee cup that I once gave her. I actually felt tired and lethargic that day sometime in late April or May, so it was just what I needed!

I would almost always walk back into my classroom a few mins late- texting my coworker that I would be and was on my way. Seeing that I was late and or with something in my hand like food or a drink, he could usually figure out that I was with my sister again. Lol

I would always walk with deep gratitude, feeling so special that a sister went of her way to see me, to visit me during my break. It's a testimony of our beautiful soul sisterhood. I cherish that time. And it helped me get through those last couple of months for the semester.