Enjoy the journey....

Have you ever watched a child just shrieking with delight at something they are discovering or playing? I was reminded of this recently, when I watched a friend's video on her child running and playing while being sprayed with a hose. He was shrieking with joy, and when it was over, he asked for more. I thought to myself, I would have been mad if someone sprayed me with a cold hose. And then it came to me, why does the same thing bring about two totally different responses in a child and an adult?
Because as adults we are programmed to fit in to society. We are programmed to act a certain way. We have rules. On the other hand, tt's really amazing to watch children. You can just stand back and bathe in their joy... uncensored, unblocked from this cynical world we live in.
Why do we stop living this way? Why do we "grow up" and forget how fun it is to blow bubbles? How fun it is to sit in the sun and eat Popsicles? How interesting it is to watch ants? How you can hear the world's sounds if you just close your eyes and take it all in?
I remember when Nick was about 2. We used to walk down to our park all the time. It's about 2 blocks away, but to get there, it might take us like 20 minutes!!! Why you ask? Well, this little boy would stop and point out every worm in the cracks, look at all the rocks, pick up all the sticks, study the leaves, you name it....

At first, this used to frustrate my husband, who is very goal orientated, as he wanted to get to the park!! I mean really, that is the goal, right? After a few trips of frustration, I had to remind him to embrace who Nicholas really is...a curious learning little boy...enjoying the world...embracing life and all it's little things...
So there's a poem that I love, and I keep it in a file to read from time to time.
Just For Today
by Sally Meyer

Just for this morning,
I am going to smile when I see your face...
and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning,
I will let you wake up softly in your flannel p.j.'s...
and hold you until you are ready to stir.

Just for this morning,
I will let you choose what you want to wear...
and I will say how beautiful you are.

Just for this morning,
I will step over the laundry to pick you up...
and take you to the park to play

Just for this morning,
I will leave the dishes in the sink...
and let you teach me how to put your puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon,
I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off...
and sit with you in the garden
blowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon,
I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you
scream and whine for the ice cream truck...
and I will buy you one, if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon,
I won't worry about what you are going to be
when you grow up...
I will simply love you for the joy you bring me

Just for this afternoon,
I will let you help me make cookies...
and I wont stand over you . . . trying to 'fix things.'

Just for this afternoon,
I will take you to McDonald's and buy us both a 'Happy Meal'...
so you can have two toys.

Just for this evening,
I will hold you in my arms and tell you the story of how you
were born...
and how much we love you.

Just for this evening,
I will let you splash in the bathtub...
and I won't get angry when you pour water over your sister's
head.

Just for this evening,
I will let you stay up late...
while we sit on the porch swing
and count all the stars.

Just for this evening,
I will bring you glasses of water...
and snuggle beside you for hours...
and miss my favorite t.v. show.

And tonight when you are sleeping safe and warm in your bed,
I will think of the mothers and fathers
who mourn for the children they have lost.

I will remember the parents who sit by hospital beds,
watching over the little ones they love.

I will weep for those parents whose children are cold,
hungry and suffering,

and .... this evening,
when I kneel down to pray,
I will simply be grateful for all that I have

and not ask for anything...

except just one more day.


© copyright 1999 Sally Meyer

ENJOY THE JOURNEY KIDS....NOT THE DESTINATION....


"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24