I missed my morning writing time yesterday, and most of my sleep the night before.
Instead of waking up to my iPhone and opening the laptop, I yawned and stretched to first light in a hotel surrounded by little people.
This is life, I remind myself.
A few months ago when Elijah began a new season of official reading lessons I promised him that after he had worked hard, we would celebrate his achievement as a family.
We opened the book nearly every day--some mornings progress came quick and glorious. Other days, sounding out words soooo slowly--painful for both of us.
This is life, I remind myself.
But this past Sunday this introverted, bold and courageous boy sat around the family table after dinner and read a story to us. A story...to us! Afterwards we made the announcement:
"To celebrate and honor all the hard work Elijah has put in to his learning, we are going to a hotel!"
Their eyes grow wide and their smiles grow big, and Elijah does a little happy dance just because.
This is life, I remind myself.
We pack bags for the night and head to a fancy restaurant for pad thai before we arrive at our final destination. Sitting down among menus we order and wait. The food finally comes, arranged beautifully on the plate, and we dig in.
Seconds later, a wailing fire alarm begins. We grab our fancy dinner in not-so-fancy take out containers and leave the building with ears covered.
This is life, I remind myself.
The kids were in heaven at a hotel with a pool and waterslide all to themselves, having an incredible time.
But not all was perfection--I still had to pull this one aside and ask for no shouting and pull this one aside and remind about showing respect.
This is life, I remind myself.
We're a week into 2014 now and more than any other year I've approached it purposefully--with thoughtfulness given to lessons from the year before and hopes chronicled for the year ahead.
I've written goals and lists and dreams and visions--some of which will come true, and some of which might not.
This is life, I remind myself.
My word for 2014 is PRESENT.
I want to be here this year--to soak every moment up, good and bad.
To not allow future or past to take away from what is. To relish every ounce of joy, even if I have to mine it out of an otherwise pathetic day.
To not mentally run away from the unpleasant--but to stay right there. Surrounded by love, life, and wild imperfection.
I missed my morning writing time yesterday, and most of my sleep the night before, but it's okay.
Because I haven't missed my life.
And this year, 2014, life comes first.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?"
~ Mary Oliver
