She’s just starting into 2nd. grade, cruising toward her eighth birthday. Her mom and dad kindly let us “borrow” her and her sister from time to time. There’s just nothing quite like having kids in the house. So we had a reading date with her last week. (She’s already reading beautifully.) And she came to the door right on time, book in hand. She curled up between us on the couch and headed into “Dog Breath”, the impossible story of Hally Tosis, the dog whose breath ruined every family outing. On we went to the poetic whimsy of Shel Silverstein. Then we threw in a few games of Scrabble, making up our own rules as we went along, to suit ourselves.
Finally it was time to walk her home. There are two routes between our houses. The direct route takes us across our front lawn and the street into their back yard. It’s an efficient shortcut. The other path goes down the driveway and takes the long way around to their front door. “Can we take the long way home?” she asked.
Then it dawned on me. She wanted just a little more time with me, to hang out and chat. “For sure!” I replied. And chat we did!
So here’s what I’m thinking. All I have is “NOW”. As someone once said, “That’s why they call it “the present”. Grab those “presents” while you can. Don’t be afraid to set aside the “necessary” for the serendipitous gifts that make life sparkle. Live the moment. So many tasks can wait for tomorrow. Who really cares about that messy closet, that unseen dust bunny under the bed? And after all, what will remain 100 years from now? Perhaps a little girl’s laugh will live on in her great granddaughter’s giggle. Who can know?
Who do you know who might be wanting to take “the long way home” with you?
