Yesterday, my oldest daughter and I were shopping, and I jokingly said, "let's hold hands". Of course she just laughed and politely said No. But I was thinking how just the other day she was so little and she held my hand all the time. So, this morning, I fixed my 5 year old some oatmeal. After she finished eating, I needed to get her dressed for school, so I took her by the hand and led her from the kitchen table over to the couch where her clothes were. It only took about 7 seconds to do that, but in those 7 seconds, I felt her little hand in mine and it occurred to me how I take that for granted. There weren't any cars around or strangers; I didn't need to hold her hand and she didn't need to hold mine. But it was just automatic that I reached for her hand and she willingly took mine. I enjoyed that 7 second walk so much this morning. I don't ever want to take those hand holding moments for granted, because I know I'm gonna blink a few times and she will be all grown up and we won't hold hands anymore......So I'm gonna take every opportunity to hold her hand even if it's only for a few seconds.
The second thing I know I take for granted is a peaceful home. On most days you can find Curious George playing quietly on the T.V., and an Ipod playing not so quietly from upstairs. No one is yelling, things are organized, and we all work in sync together. Yesterday, however, we had a mini-meltdown in the van on the way home from church. Yes, that's right..we had just been to church hearing about how to love each other the way Jesus loved people, etc. etc. But things were just out of whack for us and by the time we pulled into the driveway, which was only about a 10 minute drive, there were tears and everyone was upset with each other. Of course, by the end of the day everything was fine. This morning, Curious George was playing quietly downstairs, and music was coming from upstairs, and I had my coffee in hand and getting things together for the day; peacefully. I don't like it when those Out-of-Whack days happen, but it did make me realize that I take my peaceful home for granted. Now, everyone is gone to work and to school. I have jazz playing softly and there is a gentle hum of the dryer while I am typing. I like the peaceful aspect a whole lot better!
The third thing that I know I take for granted is the kindness of people. Just the little things that they do. This morning we went by the Kolache shop. As I was walking up, a lady was walking back out to her car and she smiled and said good morning. I returned the smile and greeting. Then after I had made my purchase and was headed toward the door, a young man around 13 stopped and waited for me and held the door open for me as I was exiting. I know there is a lot wrong in our country and a lot of really bad people and junk that happens daily...but, there is a lot of good also! Just within the 5 minute span that it took me to get kolaches, I had 2 people use their kindness toward me. And zero people cursed at me, or slammed a door in front of my face, or stuck their tongue out at me......no one. I take the kindness of people for granted, but I will try very hard not to anymore. I want to look for the good in people and appreciate their efforts.
There are many other things I take for granted and I could go on and on. But these are the 3 things that occurred to me this morning. You have to start somewhere.....I'm starting with these, today, and I will enjoy this life I've been given!
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