Saturday afternoon was a typical fall day…cool, cloudy, and breezy.
Two years ago or more it would not have seemed inviting to me to spend time outside. Rather I probably would have donned my fuzzy pants, turned on the fire, and made some tea.
But these days the girls love to be outdoors, so we look for opportunities to take advantage of family time and fresh air. We bundled up and took the girls to the soccer fields close to our neighborhood.
As soon as their feet hit the turf, they were off. Kicking the ball, chasing leaves, running in circles, they were having a blast.
“I’m gonna get you!” I’d tease, and they’d be off, running for all they were worth. (And my almost three-year olds can actually burn some rubber…at least relative to their short-legged mama!)
As I’ve thought about what a fun afternoon we had, I can only describe the looks on their faces as ones of exuberance – pure, unadulterated joy. Their cheeks and noses red from the wind, their eyes aglow, and the biggest grins on their faces as they looked back to see me chasing them…I never want to forget it.
They are unburdened by bills, dishes, laundry, groceries, dust. And for that time on the soccer fields, I was, too.
Sure, the bills and dishes and laundry and housework will always be there waiting for me…but my little girls won’t be little forever.
And what a blessing we get to be reminded of the bigger things in life by the smallest of joys.
Ticker
9 comments:
Very sweet, and so true. We got outside yesterday for perhaps the last time of the year without being bundled to the max - picture the little brother in Christmas Story.
Awe! That's the best! Glad you all had a great time!
I love the short periods of time with my girlies that I get to forget about the bills and dishes and laundry and other adult things. Oh to be little again...=)
I love those moments, when you take a mental pictures, and file it away forever.
Watching your children experience exuberance is such a joy, isn't it?! You want them to always get that excited about life---to never lose their "awesome" (thank you pigtail pals :))
What a cherished memory, Mandy. Thanks for sharing it here, so that we can all smile. :)
Hooray for you... totally reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
(Ruth Hulburt Hamilton)
I love the power of the perfect word. When you described their expressions, I thought exuberance was the perfect word!
Well said. Ever since the kids started preschool and I've had the opportunity to spend quality, uninterrupted time with them there, I've been trying more and more to be sure we do lots of fun things where I am fully present and can experience the pure joy on their faces and in their eyes. They're at such a fun age right now (though they do try my patience daily) and I want to take it all in, burn it into my memory, and never ever forget these days we get to share together.
Awesome! What I'd give for a fun filled day like that! life has just been so busy and chaotic lately - not much chance to sit back and savor the little moments. *sigh*
The things that really matter.
Sometimes I want to be three again...unburdened is such a lovely word.
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