Today I was reminded of some of the things that make childhood such a magical time. Eating corn off the Cob without worrying about if you're left looking like a gomer with corn between your teeth. Staying in the pool until you've lost 15 pounds by shivering and your lips are blue because it's JUST too much fun. Feeling better after a kiss to your Owies. Always laughing at "Eskimo", "butterfly" and "fish" kisses no matter what kind of mood you're in. Only needing to cuddle your cow, bear, bunny and Bambi to turn your brain off enough to sleep peacefully. Only pretending to vacuum and having FUN with it!! Getting excited EVERYTIME you see a goose (even if there are about fifteen hundred in your front yard daily) or in my childhood, a cow (again, fifteen hundred...Wisconsin, remember?).
Childhood is so magical. It's part of what makes parenthood so magical. It makes you see the beauty in the world around you. You open your eyes to what you see every day and suddenly...it's the coolest thing in the world. Flowers, bees, rocks, pine needles, butterflies, corn husks, shoes!! Magical. All over again. Ok, so shoes never lost their magic for me, but the rest, I have to admit I had neglected to see them as magical since I was a kid, until now. Now, they hold potential. Which makes them magical.
It makes me so grateful, once again, to experience this life. And I think of what lies ahead. Sea World, Disney World, camping, skiing, school, slumber parties, Halloween, Christmas, the tooth fairy. All brand new. All newly magical. All because of a child.
You know what phrase comes to mind when I look at those pictures above? "Supreme Enjoyment". When's the last time you supremely, unabashedly enjoyed something new? Or something old for that matter. (or something borrowed or blue?!?) My point is, well you get my point. Life's too short. I've been reminded of that lately by a patient who had a good friend who was 54 years old die suddenly during a run for Special Olympics and by another patient who cares for her almost completely disabled husband who had a massive stroke 9 years ago that "changed our lives a lot". Life's too short in years, too short on enjoyment. Work less. Play more. Live. See the magic in the little things. Slow down and bury your face in the roses even if it makes you sneeze. Stay awake a little longer if it means you spend quality time with your husband. Wake up a little earlier to see that shiny face tucking in her bear, bunny, cow and Bambi before moving on to her day. Stay healthy because it feels good. Eat ice cream because it feels good. Make s'mores. Pick up a pine cone now and then and remember what a miraculous thing it is. Be grateful for the loved ones in your life. Tell them you're grateful for them. Tell them all the good things you think of them and don't hold onto resentments. Forgive, completely. Love, unconditionally. Live, like a child.
