The first day of summer vacation!
I love living downtown. Last night, the kids spoke excitedly about their wish list for the first day of summer vacation. They wanted a picnic in the park and ice cream. So simple–so sweet!
The weather was perfect. We watched the ducks and enjoyed a cool breeze while eating our lunch.
We had great conversations on the grass–our goals and wishes for summer. They both told me that they missed spending the days with me during the school year. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I could be with them.
Time is something that most of us take for granted. I spent most of my life in the future or the past–rarely in the moment. Having kids forces you into the present. Their eye contact, expressions, and tiny voices bring you in to the now.
My life has definitely changed since I became a mother to these two. My goal is raising two very good humans. I practice slowing down and listening to their thoughts and dreams.
My son amazed us with some cool historical facts from his recent field trip to the park. We rode the carousel for the first time this season. We savored our ice cream and walked in slow lazy circles taking in the beauty.
There is a saying that the best things in life aren’t “things.”
It’s true. The best things in life are MOMENTS.
So happy your day together was special. Those moments are everything!
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You are so right, Alyssa. I remember our talk about the simple and unplanned moments being the best and most important 🙂
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Well said Jen! You get it. I’m a huge admirer of the Japanese culture and its philosophy. Most everything they do has meaning, or should I say they impart meaning into everything they do? There are no wasted motion, no wasted spaces, and no excess. Form follows function, and things flow effortlessly. Step into any home, from the poorest to the richest and you will appreciate a collective minimalist approach to their easy of living. However being a minimalist doesn’t require sacrificing details. You can still be OCD and be a minimalist. In fact the simplest of tasks requires the greatest amount of attention. Cooking rice requires 2 ingredients, rice and water. Yet ever Asian will tell you the temperature, the consistency, the firmness of the grain, and the aroma will either make it or break it, despite every accompanying dishes being perfectly prepared. I digress. Point is, it’s the simple things, when done right, or experienced, can be the most rewarding. Kudos for you.
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The more I practice being “in the moment” the more appreciation I have for what is happening. Well said with the rice–even the simplest things are better when done well and with care.
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