After months and months of not having the world under control enough to do it, we finally hosted a get-together for friends over the weekend. It wasn't a big to-do or anything, just some of my favorite people gathered together for a few hours.
There was a point in the day when I was upstairs feeding Mila. We were far away from the action because she needs a little quiet to maintain focus. Which, THAT has been an interesting addition to my life. Sometimes I wonder if she was sent to remind me to stop and enjoy the small moments just a little bit more because life's pace undoubtedly has been altered since she joined the party. As I sat there holding her, a steady stream of voices drifted upward and through the window to my ears. I listened to the noise, fully realizing it was the sound of joy.
For a very brief moment, I considered what I was missing. Not much, really, because I have a Mila to hold, but there was another brand of happiness happening on the patio below. The kids were swimming, the adults were chatting ... everything about it was good.
Then laughter cut through the cacophony and sweetened the air even more. Cheerful, bright laughter drowned out the talk. Alexis' laugh was intertwined with the laughter of other kids, creating a joyful chorus. It made me realize I was in the exact right place because I was able to stop and just enjoy that sound for a moment.
As if realizing the importance of moments like that one, Mila looked up at me and grinned.
It was just ten seconds of laughter, but it's the little things that matter the most.
