It's really very easy to get lost in your bubble as life passes you by. I know I do it all of the time. It's obvious that others do as well.
I see it every time we hit the trails for a long bike ride.
As we pedal our way along the river, I see people with their noses stuck in their smart phones. They are completely oblivious to the beautiful skyline at their side, thereby proving once and for all that smart phones make people dumber. I swear the simple act of texting while walking can lower a person's IQ by 20 points.
I understand the allure of headphones, but so much happens when you're immersed in a cloud of loud music. I see people missing out on baby geese trying to honk for the very first time, the roar of the crowd at PNC Park after a home run, and the laughter of children playing at the water steps.
Every time we ride I see people rushing to and fro with their heads buried and their shoulders hunched. I see parents dragging kids, urging them to walk faster. I see people who are completely missing out on so much as they try to quickly make their way to their Next Important Thing.
But then I also see a lot of people who stop and notice.
Alexis is quite the sight as she pedals her little bike attachment as fast as she can. It's a Frankenstein sort of bicycle built for two that she rides, her portion white while Mr. Husband's portion is red. Mismatched or not, it's an arrangement that works well for her. She's able to keep up for 20+ miles, happily pedaling when she wants and checking out the sites when the urge calls her.
Mile after mile she sings at the top of her lungs, chatters endlessly as only 6-year olds can do, and does her very best to fill every possible moment of silence. She does it all while donning bright pink and orange Hello Kitty sunglasses and a funny little bike helmet with bunny ears.
It's hard not to smile when you see her.
It makes me happy that so many people take notice of her special brand of crazy. It's certainly not everyone, but every tenth person or so pauses for a moment and follows her with their eyes. Each time there is a long moment of thought followed by a huge smile. It's really hard not to smile when you see a kid blasting joy at their top of their lungs while dressed in a way that is so very uniquely "Alexis."
Have you paused to smile today?