The In Betweens

I recently made a trip to visit my family in South Carolina. My parents live there, along with my sister, and 7-year-old niece, Willow. It is amazing to me how much energy and intensity Willow has. When I am around her, I find myself jealous of her zip and go. Even at 9 pm at night, she is ready to go outside and run around the block. “Please Aunt Susan”. And so we do. I am an avid runner in pretty decent shape (if I dare say it) and even I have trouble catching her. Wow if this is what a religious breakfast of Cocoa Puffs does to someone, maybe I should try it!
I love spending time with my little niece for many reasons. I think my favorite, however, is the chance to see things thru her eyes. We get so jaded when we “grow up”. We don’t see all the magic in the world, all the possibility. We forget how to have fun, just “running around the block”. Willow reminds me of this. Her life is so much simpler than mine. She shadows me every moment I am there, wanting to be included in everything I do; makeup going on, hair curling, texting on my iphone, (I think she knows how to use if better than I do). She is so eager to learn EVERYTHING, to be a part of EVERYTHING. She is passionate about just being alive . . . and most of all, how to live in each moment and appreciate it. We are so busy moving from thing to thing in our adult world, we don’t enjoy anything unless “fun” is on the “schedule”. She is so content just being with me. When was the last time you just enjoyed the moment you were in? Take a deep breath today and look out the window while you drink your coffee, instead of watching the news. Run around the block later when the sun is setting and just appreciate that you are strong and you can run. Look at your family & friends for the first time without analyzing them, just appreciate them, flaws and all. Life is short. If you don’t stop and take a look around, you will miss all the best stuff. And really, the best things in life are the things that happen in the day to day, the in betweens. Enjoy every messy, complicated, predictable moment . . . things might not always be this good.
XSuz