Before my mom got really sick I used to buy her Lake Champlain chocolate bars. They came in nugget sizes and were rich and silky and decident. Instead of opening the bar up and taking a huge bite out of it my mom would insist on using a knife to cut small slivers from it savoring each one as though it was the first time she had ever tasted anything so delicious. She would close her eyes, tilt her head back, and moan. Makes me smile to think about.
We go so fast. So focused on what we need to get done. On being productive. On making more money. Taking on more responsibility. Putting so much pressure on ourselves. It’s impossible to savor anything when you live like that. Every victory feels fleeting. Every milestone simply a means to the next one.
But life is rich. Tonight we went for a walk and the boys ate popsicles and searched for fire hydrants. We saw three cats and a dog. We saw a helicopter and a crane a new house being built. The sun was shining so bright it was hard to look fully up into the sky.
I held Lou and he rested his head on my shoulder. I said “Lou. I’m happy. Do you feel happy?” He said “I feel tired.” And I laughed as I held him. Kady carried Julian who also rested his head on her shoulders. And for a moment I savored this beautiful life I have.
Don’t let these moments, these precious things go by without relishing in them. Life is not about numbers and money and doing and getting more. It’s about finding the moments that matter to you, closing your eyes, tilting your head back and taking them in fully.
