Perspective

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize
they were the big things.

-- Robert Brault

I guess I knew this, but had never really thought about it until my daughters got older. The hugs and confidences. The funny moments. The family trips. The gymnastics meets, dance recitals, the art shows, the awards assemblies-- all that seems so mundane, but makes life rich. Now I have to revel in the unexpected phone call from College Daughter(she cut her hair like mine!) and the surprise 100% that  an excited Younger Daughter achieved on a Pre-Calculus quiz. Children eventually get more independent, and that means that parents, like me, are more in the background of their lives. It is a natural stage, but one I grieve a bit...The small moments that I will treasure during my spring break will revolve around reading, going out to coffee with friends, seeing another good friend for dinner, visiting my College Daughter in Seattle, and just having TIME. (not to do major projects around the house, although I could stand to do those) I'll listen to the rain, or according to the forecasters even possibly snow at night, knowing I don't have to get up and go to work; I'll hope for some distant trains passing through my town, which are much more peaceful than the howling coyotes we've been hearing for the past week. And I'll go watch the State championships in gymnastics tomorrow, not knowing what to expect--but hoping for the best. Small things like sports scores can sometimes be very big, at that particular moment. We're supposed to live in the present, right? But sometimes that doesn't give me enough perspective about how insignificant or important these events really are. Just give me time to figure it out, OK?

Comments

[Tonya]

That quote is absolutely spot-on. In the course of our seemingly mundane days, those little things occur all the time and we just take them with a grain of salt. I think how often Nate gives me hugs (often at inopportune times, like when I'm in a really good part of a book) and how much I will miss those hugs when he eventually moves out.

Yes! I heard it could snow in places tomorrow! What's up with THAT? (Probably mostly in the Convergence Zone, though).

[VJ]

You know it's the little things that I remember most in my life, like when I was seven turning eight and whispering to myself "good-bye 7, I'll see you again in ten years." That stands out so clear in my mind. Or, the misunderstanding my 3rd grade teacher had with me. She thought I was saying no to her when I was saying no to a classmate standing behind her. A small little moment that rings out clear as a bell.

Those little things are the big moments in life.

[Miz S]

I know, I know. Sigh.

100% on a pre-calc quiz? Day-um.

Good luck to Al at the State championship meet today!!!

Pictures of Ashley's new haircut, please? And be sure to tell her that I was the ONLY ONE of your blog friends who supported her dreds back in the day.

[Marilyn]

This is a lovely post and a good reminder for us all. I hope you truly enjoy your break.

[Lauri]

Hi-I just found your blog and I am thouroughly enjoying reading it! I've read the whole first page, and I love your quotes and your outlook on life...I REALLY love the quote for this post, and I really,really need to remember this every single day! I have 3 very energetic and 'too smart for me' children, plus my son is somewhat special needs-very high IQ, but is severely ADHD, bipolar and dyslexic and also has an anxiety disorder. Anyway, the point is, it is so easy for me to get overwhelmed and I miss most of the small things. I hope you don't mind, but I'd really like to post that on my blog and link it back to yours. Glad I found it!

[Wende]

I suspect it's a real gift to recognize those moments while in them. When you do, such as today, hang on to that!

Holding good thoughts for the gymnast today! And, ditto Miz. S.: Pictures would be good! :D

[Old Horsetail Snake]

Just wait. Your little youngster will follow up the calculus bit with 100% on the bars or floor or unevens, or something. Vault. maybe. You just wait. It is going to be big. And Do Not Forget the Pix!!!

[kristy]

I'm glad you can be so sanguine about the possibility of snow. I'm not taking it quite so well. IT'S APRIL FOR GODSAKE! Anyway, I guess it does beat coyote howling--we get a fair amount of that too.

Loved your daughter's new shoes from last post, by the way!