In becoming a parent I've realized both how simple and how complicated life can be. Complicated as in how hard can it be to get a kid to take a nap in the afternoon? Why should it be so difficult to just pick a movie to watch and not cry over not being the one to put the dvd into the player? How many times can you sweep and vacuum and clean up spills in one day?
But here's the beautiful part of parenthood - seeing my child smile makes me smile. Seeing them get joy out of playing games that I haven't played in years like hide and seek makes me grin, chasing each other around . When Archer runs and laughs and screams chasing bubbles, I laugh at his joy in the simple things. And when Shelly coos with her eyes wide open, following me with her eyes as I walk around the room I get a thrill knowing that she is growing stronger every day. Last night Archer was rolling a truck around her head and she reached over and tried to grab it from him, our first chance of conflicts over toys, but I told Archer he has to teach her how to play and he explained to her all about the truck and how it works. One of my favorite times of the day is when I wake up early and see Archer and Shelly sleeping peacefully next to each other. Sometimes Shelly wakes up just as I'm about to leave for work and she's happy to lay and look around her, oohing and aahing, exercising her voice in the quiet part of the day before Archer wakes up, and Grandma Sue walks in with the other kids and Everett starts running around like a crazy dog. Kids have taught me that happiness doesn't have to come from expensive stuff, or going out all the time, or anything but just enjoying what's right in front of me.
What makes you smile?
But here's the beautiful part of parenthood - seeing my child smile makes me smile. Seeing them get joy out of playing games that I haven't played in years like hide and seek makes me grin, chasing each other around . When Archer runs and laughs and screams chasing bubbles, I laugh at his joy in the simple things. And when Shelly coos with her eyes wide open, following me with her eyes as I walk around the room I get a thrill knowing that she is growing stronger every day. Last night Archer was rolling a truck around her head and she reached over and tried to grab it from him, our first chance of conflicts over toys, but I told Archer he has to teach her how to play and he explained to her all about the truck and how it works. One of my favorite times of the day is when I wake up early and see Archer and Shelly sleeping peacefully next to each other. Sometimes Shelly wakes up just as I'm about to leave for work and she's happy to lay and look around her, oohing and aahing, exercising her voice in the quiet part of the day before Archer wakes up, and Grandma Sue walks in with the other kids and Everett starts running around like a crazy dog. Kids have taught me that happiness doesn't have to come from expensive stuff, or going out all the time, or anything but just enjoying what's right in front of me.What makes you smile?
2 comments:
What do I find hapiness in? Not talking 'business' with my husband or my family, not talking schedules, times, where to meet, and what I'll bring...but just dreaming together and laughing together. Laughter cures a downcast soul, wouldn't you agree? Money can't buy a good laugh, and funny how a good laugh can bond a family, or a marriage...
Denise, I agree - not talking business sometimes actually takes effort, just letting go of all the mundane daily stuff and letting yourself dream, but its great to do. You're so right about laughter, its the best thing to join people together and lift you up!
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