Live my ‘now’ life more fully

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” ~Dale Carnegie

I don’t know where you’re living, but here in the desert, spring is everywhere.  Citrus blossoms are covering our lemon trees, the finch have returned and now jockeying for position with humming birds for time at the honey flavored feeders. The Acacia trees are flushed with their tiny puffy yellow flowers.  The honey bees are buzzing around wildly, gathering up nectar and carrying it off to their home. Those naughty jackrabbits have been nipping away at my fresh sprouting asparagus.  Our resident road runner darts around the yard chasing after his new mate.  Miracles are springing up and new life circles all around me.

Speaking of new life and miracles, we just returned from a trip up North to meet our newest granddaughter…. Our sixth grand blessing! ….so perfect…a sweet little angel that makes my heart feel toasty warm.

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Only minutes after arriving to the newborn's country home, I am moving in a slow steady rhythm, perfectly comfortable in the rocker, sweet miracle bundled up in my arms, gentle touches across her soft ivory skin, and combing through the wisps of angel hair…breathing in the experience of holding this new delicate life….this testament to God’s unending grace and overflowing blessings. I ponder, how can any life so small carry such a bolt that can knock the wind right out of you and send you to your knees with hands tightly clasped, clinging to promises in prayer 'Lord, may your unending love wrap itself around baby girl and keep her safe and in your care,…draw this little lamb into your fold and let your eyes always watch over her'.

As I carefully unwrap the fragile cooing gift, I see my son clicking the camera and I am delighted that I will have this Kodachrome tender moment captured on a freeze frame to look back on and once again be able to savor it.   

Our visit with my son and his family is too brief, but it’s long enough for Grandpa and me to fall madly in love with the tiny, priceless treasure. 

After good bye hugs and ‘just one more’ kisses, we slowly pull out of the long driveway and turn back on to the winding country road. I hold fast to the picture of son and baby girl in the rear view mirror.  The tear tucked away in the corner of my eye falls and I am only somewhat consoled with the idea that we have already begun planning our next trip back up North.

Twenty seven thousand feet up in the air, my scattered thoughts find their way onto the pages of my journal. My emotions stir as a sense a great lesson for me to cling to: Live my ‘now’ life more fully.  Experience my days like one of my precious grandchildren inspecting their garden, giggling as the run through the clover, picking dandelions and chasing lady bugs. Take the seemingly mundane moments and normal days and zoom in with a close up lens.

This short passage written by Mary Jean Iron captures it beautifully.

“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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