“Best Night Ever!!!”
How our children remind us to celebrate simple joys
It was a Friday evening after a busy-work week. A week of balancing two jobs and two back-to-back sick kiddos - my 5 month old had a nasty cold and my toddler had pink eye. Both were finally healthy and with the weekend in sight, I was ready for a break. And probably a nice chilled Sauvignon Blanc.
When our kids get home from daycare, they love to play with the boys across the street from us now that we’re finally having some longer days of sunlight.
And for this particular evening, that turned into ordering pizza and eating outside together. While waiting for the food, the kids played with chalk and toy airplanes and hot wheels and tricycles. The pizza arrived and we cut it up and placed it on the picnic table for the 5-year-old to happily exclaim: “THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT EVER!!!”
It completely warmed my heart.
It reminded me of a story my Mugga told me. She and my Bumpa had taken me and my cousin to Niagara Falls when we were young. She has a memory of me proudly proclaiming it as “THE BEST DAY EVER!” While I don’t remember saying that, I do remember that trip! I remember wearing a yellow dress and getting a stuffed white dog (I named it Niagara) and spending time with family.
Why is it that as we get older, it seems easier to lose sight of all the accessible joy around us? The joy of discovering a new place - whether it’s a different city or just a different park. The joy of wearing something you love. Of a shared meal with people you love. Of a slice of pizza on a Friday night because it’s delicious!
Children seem to be our greatest teachers. While they still have so much to learn themselves, they remind us of life’s greatest and simplest truths that we adults tend to lose sight of as we grow up.
These are the little reminders I am incredibly grateful to be given by my kiddos.
Kids live in the moment. They aren’t worrying about something that is happening tomorrow or dwelling on something that happened yesterday, or even just an hour ago. They are always focused on the present moment and are so dang joyful about it. Whether that’s the ‘mmmm’ behind every bite of food, the little squeal of excitement as we approach the playground, or the smile and giggle when they pick up a favorite toy - they are fully-present and fully-loving-it.
They find extraordinary in the ordinary. They meet everything with the most contagious enthusiasm. It isn’t just dinner, it’s a PIZZA PARTY. It isn’t just seeing the neighbors, it’s a PARTY WITH FRIENDS. It’s silly, but it’s true! I need to meet my life with that type of enthusiasm. Remembering the little things are worth being excited for.
They don’t care about the items; they care about the feeling. They do not know a thing about material items and they are all the better for it. They don’t need the most expensive toy. They just enjoy having something to play with, and even more so playing with somebody they love. They don’t require a Pinterest-board or Insta-worthy set up behind their lives. It doesn’t have to be 5-stars. The stuff kids are enjoying? It’s life’s real stuff. The good stuff.
They’re fully themselves. Because they haven’t had any experiences yet that have told them not to be. How I wish they could hold onto that forever. How I wish I could embrace that more, to worry less about if people will judge me or if I’ll upset someone.
They remind us to slow down. My curious toddler will take the time to stop and notice something - the tiniest things. She’ll point out something that looks different. She’ll ask questions. She’ll observe. Lately, it’s anytime a bird is in the yard. She’ll stop, walk out to the window, point and say “Biiiiir?” and just watch for a bit. It’s not only freaking adorable, but always a reminder to me to slow down and look around a bit more. To notice the birds.
Joy and happiness does not have to be chased or earned or extravagant. It can be found right there in front us. We just have to take the time and notice.
Thanks for reading along, friends. I challenge you this week to think of some sort of childlike whim you want to bring back to your life.
Love this. It's so true; kids have such a gift for helping us adults tune into the good stuff in life right under our noses!!
So so so true. We lose it as we get older (and I'm trying to get it back as you know). Kids are the best for keeping you in the moment and appreciating the little things. Love this!