Sunday, July 29, 2012

A Day Well-Lived

So for some reason I have fallen into this groove where I feel like I must have something interesting happen to me or have some life-altering revelation in order to write a blog post. Today was a very "normal" day, one of those where I wouldn't have thought about writing a post, except for what happened on Twitter.

As I was flipping through the feed on one of my two personal Twitter accounts (yes, I'm THAT crazy), I came across the following quote in my Tiny Buddha tweets and I realized that this normal day is exactly the kind of day I should be writing about.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~Robert Brault

So, here are my "little things" from today:

My son has a cold and the poor guy has been coughing and sniffling for the past two days. Last night was particularly tough as he struggled to sleep comfortably and so at some point after 2am I brought him into the bed with me. He slept much better there and I was happy we each caught some all important shut eye.

Since he was coughing pretty regularly, we skipped church and enjoyed a lazy morning eating breakfast in bed, watching TV, and making each other laugh. With every AT&T commercial (and there's a lot of them while watching the Olympics), my son would point to the TV and say "AT&T". With every Geico commercial (and there's a lot of them while watching Cars), my son would point to the TV and say "Geico". Oh my. Time to turn off the TV for a few days.

After our lazy morning together, we went to my parents for some lunch. Everything was delicious and of course, once we were done, Grandmom and Grandpop had a brownies with whipped cream ready for dessert. I skipped it, in hopes of someday maybe possibly getting rid of my post-pregnancy belly, but the little guy likes just about anything with whipped cream so he had a great time. 

After a quick trip home to get my running clothes, I pulled out the iPad and put on the little guy's sleep time play list and laid down next to him in the living room. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep and a few minutes after that I was running in the park next door. It was hot and muggy, but I got through 3.2 miles. I walked about a half mile in the middle, but I still finished in just about the same time as when I ran my first 5k back in May. The random shuffle played some great Afghan Whigs tunes and the downward slope in the running path always seemed come up at the perfect time. When I returned to the house, I was hot and sweaty, but felt fabulous. And the little guy was still sleeping.

I had a few errands to run, so my parents agreed to watch him while I went to the store and stopped home to get ready for my Grandfather's 91st birthday dinner. By the time I got back to my parents' house, the little guy was awake and playing. I always love that moment when I walk in after being away from him and he smiles this big grin. It's the best. After a quick wardrobe change for him, we were off to celebrate Grandpop's birthday.

The family met at Cafe Graziella in Hillsborough and we had delicious food. (I had a wonderful cheese & spinach ravioli in vodka sauce in case you were wondering.) Grandpop had a great time and I could tell he truly felt loved. He got a little cranky when the kids were playing with his cane, afraid they would break it. He got misty-eyed when he blew out the candles on his cake, surrounded by his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. We gave him a card that played the chicken dance and oh, how his eyes lit up when he opened it. 

At some point during dinner, I got a text message that the Mets had won, a rare occurrence these days. Even better news, it was R.A. Dickey, my favorite pitcher, who took the win. 

When we got home, it was bed time for the Domonster and True Blood time for me. Even now, just getting to sit here and write my blog, I am recognizing how much I enjoyed this day.

I am realizing more and more that it's these moments that make up a perfect day and that, in turn, make for a life well-lived. It's high time I start recognizing them for what they are and live them up while they are happening.  

2 comments:

  1. That was a sweet glimpse into one of your typical Sundays, which is filled with wonderful little things.
    Of course, having a 91st birthday is not so typical. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

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  2. What a sweet ordinary day! I do the same sometimes - simply revel in the ordinary times. There is a quote I long ago committed to memory (long ago as in high school!). Perhaps you have read it?

    Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

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