Smarter than a 33-Year Old
If you had asked me when I was 20 if I planned to have kids, I probably would have given you a very non-committed sort of "maybe" answer. I honestly didn't know at that time what I wanted, I just knew that the only way to live was to live for the present day. It's a sort of survival instinct I picked up early on, and I've always been pretty focused on making sure I get the most out of Today since there may not be a Tomorrow. That's not to say that I don't plan for the future, just that I try to eke a little happiness out of each and every moment.
At that time I didn't see how a kid or two or ten could possibly do anything to make Today any better than it was. Traveling the world, staying up all night, and being free to randomly make decisions without worrying about anyone else seemed like the right way to go.
Obviously, I was an idiot when I was 20.
In just three short years, Alexis has turned my life upside-down. I've ditched one career path for another that keeps me home, instead of traveling the world on someone else's dime. Decisions are now made based on what is best for her, and sometimes that means not going with my first choice. My life undoubtedly revolves around her.
Which is pretty much exactly how I like it.
I got to thinking about all of this earlier today when I picked Alexis up from daycare. I had to abandon a muy importante project at work, a project that in the pre-Alexis days I would have stayed at work for hours to finish, a project that I really wanted to knock out immediately. I rushed through pouring rain over to daycare just in time to pick Alexis up before it closed, thinking about how it kind of sucked that I couldn't just use my awesome mental powers to beam her little butt over to my office so I could keep working.
As we walked out to the car together, hand-in-hand, Alexis commented on the rain. "Look, momma! It's raining really hard!" she said excitedly.
"Yes, it is," I said in a much more subdued tone. The rain had annoyed me all day. I'm greedy and want 75 and sunny every single day.
Alexis continued, "It's raining and the sun is going to come out and IT'S GOING TO MAKE A RAINBOW!!!!" she practically cheered.
If you had told me at 20 that I would need a 3-year old to remind me to live for the moment and find joy in what is right in front of me, I would have thought you were wrong.
I was such an idiot when I was 20.
Thank you, Alexis.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Reader Comments (34)
What a sweet reminder :)
Very lovely, optimistic post--you are going to make so many smile :)
Sometimes I think I'm still an idiot...perhaps that's why I have two reminders;)
I saw a rainbow and would like to share with you...Hope you have a colourful and peaceful day...http://narelleserline.blogspot.com/2009/04/rainbow.html
Weren't we all idiots :)
we all need a little reminder sometimes... love the pic!
Those reminders get even better as they grow, too.
And I'm glad to see that my kid isn't the only one who favors the white, Storm Trooper-ish shades! :)
they are smarter than we are, those little ankle-biters are...
I am reminded often too.
Upside down sunglasses. Love that.
Smiling from ear to ear. Thank you to both of you for that reminder!
Aren't ALL 20-year-olds prone to be idiots? I know I certainly was! Thanks for the reminders!
You know, I must be allergic to your blog, as half the time I come here, I get some kind of tear in my eye. Alexis is such a joy...and they really are smarter than us in so many ways, aren't they? Thank you for the great post!
I wrote a whole comment last night on this and the Internet ate it. However! What I said was something like YES - they are the most wonderful little stop and smell the roses reminder we could ever hope for. AND that apron and hat are too adorable!
It's amazing the gifts our kids have to see things we forget about!! YAy for Alexis for giving you a bright oment in a cloudy day!!
Well your 20 yr old self was smarter than mine since you conceded you might have kids some day. I was convinced until age 27 that I never, ever, ever, ever wanted children. (And until age 25 that I never wanted to get married.) It wasn't a whim - I was sure. Fast forward to now - married (for second time...yes I got divorced first) and 2 kids and gave up my job entirely for them. And most days? That is a good thing. Huh.
Kids certainly have a "stop and smell the roses" sort of attitude that we get busy and abandon.
How cute is that picture?!?!?!
This might be my favorite post of yours ever! I hope she keeps that optimistic, fun loving view of life. What a difference a great attitude makes in a person's life.
She is friggin AHHH.DOR.AH.BLE! May we always remember to look through upside-down sunglasses to see that life shouldn't be taken so seriously, and to always live in the moment the way your cutie patootie does.
Thanks for the reminder!
What a wonderful perspective she has on things. I could definitely use a lesson from her.
That made my heart smile. :-)
Love the apron and hat!
That is one of the many things that's great about having kids, they make us appreciate the little things. Sweet post...
Fab-u-lous! :)
I am SO stealing that hat...
Awwww!!!
This post made me CRY! So sweet. AND SO TRUE!!!
Out of the mouths of babes. Thank God for em.
I love this post! It's so true how much these little stinkers make our lives fuller. Who knew!
It also took YOUR three year old to remind ME. Thanks Alexis (from all the way over here).
What an awesome post. It's so true. You can learn a lot about life from a 3 year old. :-)
and smooch/squish
A-friggen-men and a sing it sistah.
EXACTLY.
I want to smoosh that picture.
Definitely humbling when they remind us of this stuff, isn't it?
Wow, isn't that the TRUTH?!!!!! Yes it is amazing how kids can make you appreciate all the little things in life.
It does take a kid to change one's perspective, doesn't it? I know Jonathan sure shifted my priorities all around. And boy, do I love it! Great post!
Your kid is the awesomest.
Everyone should have a little kid at all times to remind them just how wonderful the world is. Thank you for sharing Alexis with us.