A Child’s Request
My father died 40 years ago, at the age of 45. He saw one grandchild before his death but missed the other seven as well as the eight great grandchildren that followed. He would have loved them all.
One day my sister, Vicki, sent me an email about her granddaughter (my great-niece), Haley. The children in Haley’s second grade class were asked to bring a picture of someone in their family who was a veteran to display in the classroom. Haley proudly took a picture of my father, her great grandfather, who was a World War II Navy veteran.
That same night in a letter written to the tooth fairy (apparently she had lost a tooth that day) she wrote, “I don’t need anything for my tooth but I would very much like to meet my great grandfather.”
When I read this email, I was busy (of course!) getting ready to go somewhere (more hurry, hurry) but my sister’s story stopped me in my tracks.
My heart broke open and I chose to give myself some time to be with that. I carved out a few moments to miss my dad, to feel sad that he has missed so much, and to ache at the poignancy of a child’s simple request that could not be fulfilled.
After those feelings moved through me, I was left savoring the sweetness of a seven year old asking not for money as one usually does of the tooth fairy, but to meet her grandfather. Pausing for a few moments, I allowed myself to savor this sweetness, to be profoundly touched, fully and deeply alive, and grateful for this child’s presence in my life.
A Reminder for Living
The experience of that sweetness lingered for days. And I was so glad for the reminder to take time to savor life’s sweet moments.
Maybe like me, you sometimes need to be reminded of what you already know: to fully experience the joys of life, to pay attention to the special moments. Life is made up of moments, some more enjoyable than others. Are you savoring the sweet ones?
Noticing, focusing on, and savoring the sweet moments will feed your heart, increase your energy, and nurture you. These moments make your life fuller, richer, and more joyous.
Renowned mythology professor and author, Joseph Campbell, said, “I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive . . . so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.” Sweet moments help us feel the rapture of being alive. If we let them.
Whenever life offers you a sweet moment, take time to savor it. The more you do this, the more you’ll experience the joy of being fully, wonderfully alive.
What about you? What moments in your life do you savor? Click on Comments and write away.
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The moments I savor most are the quiet moments with my furry “kids.”
My lab mix dog likes to come up on the bed in the morning. She curls up against me, puts her head on my shoulder, and sighs.
My horse likes to put his velvety muzzle right up against my cheek, and he touches his forehead to mine while he’s eating hay. It’s such a gentle gesture, it never fails to make me forget past and future, and just be present in the moment with him. It makes me smile just to think about it!
Hi, Sheila! Nice to see you here. If something makes you smile just to think about it, you’re definitely on to something that lights you up. But you already knew horses and dogs lit you up, didn’t you?
Beautiful article. Children have a way of knowing what is really of value in life.
Thank you, Dorothy! I’m glad you liked the article. Yes, a child’s view of the world is often wondrous and wise.