My husband, children and I returned home late last night after spending the week with my family back East for the holidays. Of course, in many ways the delight of the children’s faces on Christmas morning and getting to catch up with people we’ve not seen for awhile is the best kind of therapy for tired, working parents. For me, it was the first time I’ve had in a long time to really disconnect from my phone and email and just enjoy each day’s moments. For those of you who know me well, it’s rare that I just sit still, but it gave me time to reflect on the year and think about how to make next year just a little better.
I realized that no matter how hard one works, there will still be work waiting for you the next day. This led me to think about prioritizing and using my time more wisely next year so that I can enjoy these quiet moments more.
I had time to think about of my friends that I’d really like to spend more time with this year, and so I will be sure to schedule further in advance so as to not let time just slip away with our busy days, weeks and months.
I’ve decided to schedule my mornings even more efficiently. With small children, it’s easy to get carried away in the chaos of getting ready for work and school each day. If I can capture an hour or two before the house begins to stir, I might start the day a little less harried and enjoy the silliness that breakfast typically brings.
I realized how important it is to see my family more often, and I think they realized it too. The kids grow up fast and the moments are gone before you know it. I think we have pretty firm dates already for a visit from my parents, a repeat trip to Florida with her grandparents for my daughter, and my sister is trying to nail down a date for her family to come to Boise this summer.
And then, the crème de la crème of the week. At the tail end of our trip, we decided to visit Washington, D.C., the place where my husband and I met, to show our children the city they hear so much about, and for my daughter to be able to actually see the landmarks we’ve shown her in books. This was the most defining moment of my trip. My 4 ½ year old daughter, Maeve, taught me more in this 24 hour period than I’ve learned all year. Here’s what I learned:
- Running up and down steps 25 times at any given memorial or large building can be exhilarating. I think of that as exercise, she thinks of it as pure joy and giggle worthy.
- Things are much bigger in real life than in books. No matter how much we all read in our family, it’s totally worth traveling to see what the world really looks like. She was in awe of how big everything was and how beautiful the buildings are in D.C.
- Jumping on a hotel bed is really, really fun. And just ask your 19 month old brother, how much fun it is to play with a phone that has a cord. Who would’ve thought that phones could actually have cords! Life changes fast, technology is amazing, but sometimes, the old stuff is pretty great too.
- Even at 4, a person can be moved by the statues of our soldiers. “They probably missed their children, Mommy.”
- “Washington is a very important place, Mommy”. Yes, it is, and I understand now why it’s so important for our Country to be run by leaders who understand that it’s not about them, it’s about the people of the country.
I could go on and on about all of the clever things I learned from my children during that brief visit, but what I learned mostly from them is to savor the moments of each day. Life is short, we only get one shot, and with all of the connectivity we have today, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly running around like a chicken with your head cut off.
My vow for 2012 is to work on my balance. Still work just as hard, but pay attention to life’s happiest moments: jumping on beds, running up steps, looking around at the beauty the world offers and finding the simple joys in just living.
I wish for balance for you too, and that in 2012 you laugh a little more, worry a little less and find the joy in almost everything.
Happy New Year!
Kit
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