Last week my son had surgery. He’s fine now. But in the weeks leading up to the surgery, I noticed a shift in me. It was as if I’d had an “aha” moment.
Suddenly, I found myself appreciating the small things. The kisses that leave your cheeks wet and the hugs that cut off your circulation for a while.
I put the dirty dishes back in the sink, and joined him when he invited me to ‘share blocks’ with him. I felt more calm, and patient when the outbursts came. I let him help me cook, even though I knew it was going to make the task twice as hard.
In short, I felt more present.
More present and more grateful.
When big things happen in life, like surgeries, illnesses, or even deaths, it’s like we get a wake-up call. It’s as though we suddenly remember that all we have are these moments. Sure we can spend them tackling the ‘to-do’ list that never seems to end.
But why not do something that matters?
Why not hug someone close and enjoy their presence next to you?
I’m extremely happy that the surgery is over now. But more than that, I’m happy for the reminder it gave me. One that I want to pass on to you- no surgery required :).
Our babies are growing up, and if we aren’t careful we’re going to miss it.
My son isn’t always going to want to share his blocks with me. But there will always be a new bowl in my sink. Trust me. ALWAYS.
But this isn’t just for the parents out there. This is for anyone blessed to have someone that they love still living, no matter who that is. Our parents are getting older, we need to love them while we have them. Maybe it’s a friend that you haven’t reached out to in a while—reach out to them. Love those that you have while you have them.
Now here comes the bad part. The part that I’m almost embarrassed to admit. I know that in the weeks to come, it will be harder for me to remember this reminder. Isn’t that how it always happens? It is for me. I get those wake up calls and they really get to me- for a while- and then slowly I forget, and things revert back to how they always were.
Well that’s why I wanted to write this today, so that I could break that cycle. When I’m having a rough day, I can come back and read this and remember, how, in the grand scheme of things, the mini frustrations don’t even matter. It’ll remind me to appreciate, love and cherish each and every moment God gives me.
So here’s your reminder, friend. Love someone today. Pick up the phone and talk to someone that might normally slip through the cracks of your hectic life. Hug your children a little tighter. Enjoy what you have while you have it, and live your life with no regrets.
Make life sweet, and learn all you can.
Oh sweetheart, I completely get this! You are so right about those moments that shake us to slow down more. After my daughter being born and being in the hospital one week later with a blood infection is when I learned to slow down. Thanks for sharing, I wish we all could read this and take a lesson from it.
Oh my, I bet that was scary! Those crazy moments really put things into perspective. I hope all is well with your daughter! Thank you so much for reading.
It is very hard to remember these moments during the busyness of life! One of my daughters has several serious health issues, and a few years ago after a surgery she ended up in the PICU due to internal bleeding. We had gone home and she’d seemed fine, then started throwing up blood. The drive to the ER and the week the followed still haunt me. But even so, those little moments slip sometimes. Thank you for a good reminder and a beautiful post.
Thanks Kaecey. Yes, those unexpected moments put a whole new perspective on things. Wishing all of the best for you and your daughter.
I feel you!
love is everything, as much we receive it as much we feel valued and precious.
we have to give love before it’s too late .
God bless you and your son.
This is so true. Thanks Omaima
Oh momma, I get this. I try to remind myself of this all the time. It’s so hard to remember when we are so busy trying to keep the kids alive and the house in order. Mine will be 6, 3, and my last baby will be 1 this year. I wish time would slow down, but it won’t. So, I need to remember your words always.
Thanks Kim! I definitely now understand how the days can sometimes seem slow, but the weeks fly by. I really am appreciating time with my baby more and more.
This is so true. Time goes by way to fast and you never know what’s coming next, which is why it is so important to be present and appreciate every moment you have with those around you. I really enjoyed this post – thank you so much for sharing. Hoping your little one has a speedy recovery!
Yes, being present is definitely key. Present and appreciative! Thanks so much, he’s doing great now 🙂
I’m happy your son is doing better and it is unfortunate that we have to go through these little trials and tribulations to come to terms with our priorities in life. I am going through it too as right now my little boy is getting ready to have his first child in April. Just yesterday I was rocking him to sleep… time fly’s by too quickly… cherish every moment.
Wow, time really does fly. Enjoy that beautiful new baby!
So very very true! For me, it was being in a traumatic car accident and having my life miraculously spared that made me realize it’s the little things in life that mean the most ~ like a sound mind, healthy body, friends who are truly there for you and peaceful sleep ect. Thank you for this beautiful reminder!
Yes, the things that money can’t buy. I’m so happy you were able to walk away from that accident!
Thank you for sharing your experience. We will all be spending more time with our families for the next few weeks, so this is a good time to live in the moment and let our loved ones know just how much they mean to us!
Yes, definitely!! We can make the most out of this time.
It’s all about being in the moment and finding joy in the journey. “Now is more important than tomorrow. And now is more critical than yesterday,” – Shannon Kaiser, The Self-Love Experiment
That’s such a beautiful quote!
Given our present global circumstances, this post is SO timely. Unfortunately, the social distancing phenomenon is a HUGE event…but hopefully it will plant seeds of never taking each other for granted. Blessings to you!
Yes, so true. Right now we are so appreciative of the things we took for granted, even last week! Things like human contact! Thanks for reading 🙂
This is so true it seems of everyone in our society today. We are all so busy getting things done that we forget to appreciate all that we have–and that especially includes the loved ones we are blessed with. Thanks for a great read!
That is so true. Thanks Robin!
It is hard to stay grateful every day but more possible if you make it a habit like brushing your teeth! Believe me, enjoy the time now with your little kids because as they get older they will want to spend less and time with you 🙂
It is hard sometimes! It seems like we really have to make a whole mindset shift. I’m doing my best to enjoy every moment 🙂
Beautifully written! I am tryng to do the same everyday right now, looking at the world a bit different these days!
Thanks Sabra, so am I!
You are so right and nothing makes that clearer than these troubling times. My son called me tonight to tell me he was sick. He lives 6 hours away and all I can do is PRAY that it is just a head cold. I don’t get to see him very often but we talk/text at least once or twice a week to check in and make sure everything’s okay. It breaks my heart that I can’t go to him right now but I’ll be praying my heart out that he will be okay. I’m glad things turned out well for your son and yes, play with him and his blocks for as long as you can but also know that he will always need his mom.
I’ll be praying for your son too 🙂 I know he’s happy to get those weekly check-ins with you. I love talking to my mom as well and hope my son will feel the same about me when he gets older!
So true.I learned this the hard way when my father passed away.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
What a sweet reminder. Our daughter had a “minor” heart surgery at 11 months & there was nothing scarier… until it all turned out fine.
I’m so happy your daughter is ok. That sounds super scary. Thanks for reading!
Such a fantastic post. Thank you for the reminder and the prompt to love those we have whilst they are here. I am grateful you wrote this.
Thank you so much James!
Ahhhhh, I so get this. My family and I have been through a few of these moments… I actually just wrote a piece about grief and mentioned one of these moments in it. Life really is sweeter when we stop and take in the small things. I wish more people understood this without having to have one of those ‘moments.’ God Bless xo
Yesss, I totally agree with you! God Bless you too.
Poignant and touching. It is always such a gratification when we can learn from the difficulties in life, not just the good times. It’s times like this one, and the unprecedented times we’re currently living in that we can learn this valuable lesson and allow it to truly sink in. I have a feeling this will be an awesome memory you’ll have tucked in your mental pocket for when your small one is grown up and out of the house. Thank you for the mental sigh. God Bless
Thanks so much Dale! I also, think I’m going to carry this memory around with me for a loooong time. God Bless you as well!
I love this. My kids are all almost out of the house. We had this realization a few years back. I wish we would have had it sooner. We also try to remember on a daily basis that it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Scarlett, that is so true. Sometimes it’s hard to remember with all of the busy-ness that life throws at us. I still need reminders from time to time.