‘Take time to smell the roses.’ ‘Remember the moments.’ I think we all know what those phrases mean but do we really, really ever apply them to our own lives? Yesterday, I was reminded several times what it means to take delight in simple things.
We have some very dear friends visiting us right now. Dan is almost blind due to the effects of diabetes. He has not been able to drive for years. Yesterday, as we stood outside our house chatting, my husband looked at our 4-wheeler and said, “Dan, hop on and I will teach you how to drive this thing.” It took a little encouraging but we have lots of space and finally Dan got on the 4-wheeler. The look of sheer delight as he slowly navigated around our property was beautiful to behold! Such a simple thing to us but such an amazing thing to him.
Earlier in the day our 2-year-old grandson was visiting. He is usually tagging along after his older siblings but today he had center stage. We have a small battery operated car for the grandkids. He’s usually a passenger and will sometimes sneak off to just sit in it with a big grin on his face. Having grown a little over the summer, his legs just barely reach the pedal. I showed him how to push down on it to make it go. He could only make it go in spurts but he made it go! The sense of accomplishment was written all over his face.
We have a new employee at Pazzles. She is learning the software and is catching on very fast. I love seeing her excitement while learning how to make her own images. Images that are very simple but very good! She is not frustrated that she can not create a dimensional masterpiece right away but patiently applies every lesson she learns.
All three of these moments yesterday reminded me to delight in the simple things. Dan delighted in being able to drive once again. He didn’t get mad that he could not drive a car, he was just thrilled with the independance he was given at that moment. My grandson didn’t get frustrated that he couldn’t steer the car or go in reverse. He just was thrilled that he could make the little car go. I also had the privilege of teaching someone how to use our Inspiration Studio Software who is thrilled to learn skills that I often take for granted.
I learned that I do not need to create a masterpiece every single time, I do not need to use all of the more advanced tools in the software. I can create some pretty amazing designs by delighting in the simple things.
~Chris~
“Today you are you, that is truer than truer. There is no one alive that is you-er than you!” — Dr. Suess
What a great story, Chris. Very touching and I agree – we all need to delight in every day we have. The alternative is not appealing! Looking forward to meet the newbie!
Chris, your story really touched my heart. Today I was caring for our 95 yr old neighbor that fell on Tues and broke her shoulder. Her daughter had to go to work so I gladly went to sit with her. We talked the whole time I was there! Many of the stories were told over and over again, but I did not tire of listening. She is an amazing woman! She takes NO medications at all, and now not even Tylenol or Advil for her broken shoulder. Just the fact that I was there made her happy and made me appreciate how wonderful life is!
Thanks Chris, I do take things for granted all the time. Your story opened my eyes and made me realize how lucky I truly am! God has blessed me with a wonderful family, a roof over my head, food on the table, fairly good health and many, many friends. I am grateful!
This Sat. my daughter-in-law and I went to a wemans one-day retreat and was able to get back to the basics. I had comminted the it is now so nece to keep things simple now that my family is grown. I am a widow and travel to vivit my children and grand kids. I’m trying to help my family to love the simple things. Thank for the time to say my peace. Love to all Gram ann
I call it ‘counting my blessings’. I have two blind kids…adults now…they were extremely ill as children…I was only 25 weeks pregnant when they were born. I soon learned to celebrate; first it was every breath they took, then their living to see their first birthday and today one son is writing exams at college tomorrow. My youngest son was born 3 weeks late. I can’t get the pregnancy part right but I have three great sons and 2 beautiful daughters and the greatest husband in the world.