Playing before breakfast
Last Saturday morning our little “Gracie alarm” didn’t go off as early as I’d anticipated. It was around 7:30amish when I heard Grace’s sweet voice and it wouldn’t be long before she emerged from the bedroom, happy, smiling and ready to tackle the day. No shuffling out of the bedroom in a haze, desperately needing a cup of coffee before greeting the morning.
No - not our Gracie - she’s a feet-on-the-floor, alert and chatty gal - ready to face the day without the need for a shot of caffeine first. If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I don’t think I would have believed a day could be started without a strong cup of coffee or two.
French Toast & Bacon Ala Mikey
While Michael got breakfast going - French Toast with a hint of cinnamon, crispy bacon with a touch of brown sugar and chilled, orange juice - Kathy, Grace and I waited patiently, taking in all the enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen. When breakfast was served we all ate with great pleasure. I can tell you that Grace is a good little eater, stowing away a sizable portion of food given her tiny frame, then wisely stopping when she knew she’d eaten her fill. She’d not consume one bite more. How wise, our wee Grace, listening to her body’s cue.
After breakfast we washed up sticky fingers and face then set Grace loose to play. We all played, seated on the floor, we played. All smiles, laughter and discovery. I can tell you that smiles are infectious and sitting on the floor with nothing else on the agenda is likened to meditation. Sit, watch, smile. Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat. Sit, watch, smile. Breathe in, breathe out. I heartily recommend it as relaxing and just plain fun.
Cheese before shopping!
The afternoon would be filled with a nap or two, bathing, lunching and shopping; finally meeting Kathy’s parents for dinner at the Grand Lux. The dinner company, conversation and food were enjoyed by all. Afterward we headed back home to sit, smile and play till bed time.
I can see that little children can teach us valuable lessons. That is, of course, if we’re tuned in and paying attention. Let me tell you what I learned by spending my day with Mike, Kathy and Grace.
- I learned that it’s okay to greet the day with a smile first and then have have your coffee.
- I learned that it’s okay to eat delicious food with pleasure and enjoyment so long as you listen when your body says, “Stop!”
- I learned that it’s fun to just sit on the floor, smile and breathe.
Finally, I am reminded that there’s nothing like spending time with your children and when they start families of their own, there’s nothing sweeter than slipping into their lives for a day or two or three.
Grace and wisdom with killer cheeks!
I always defer to Dr. Seuss when I start feeling sentimental about the geographic distance between us. “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”