Today started with a peaceful walk in the woods. Well, it’s an arboretum – in the middle of Seattle – but it feels like the woods. Particularly if the woods have a nicely manicured trail.
But anyway. There are lots of trees and flowers and overgrown greenery. It is peaceful and quiet. I love it.
During today’s walk, I was already feeling calm and content. It’s been a good week-end. Peaceful without a lot to do, yet filled with some of my favorite things – time with the ones I love the most, some yummy dinners, girl talk, a few runs, and a few things that make me feel accomplished. Sunday this week was leisurely – with absolutely nothing that had to be done. These are rare in our family, so I love to soak it up when I have the chance.
There were a few things on my mind….
The exuberance of youth. Early on our walk, a little boy comes sprinting to us. Full on sprint. Huge grin on his face. The kind of run that makes you nervous as a mom that the kid is running so fast that he will bite it hard. He stopped right before us, looked up, and said, “TODAY’S MY BIRTHDAY!!! I AM FIVE!!!” He was so excited he was doing a little jig – full of exuberance and life. It was awesome. Such a big day! Five is a huge birthday.
And then I pondered…..how amazing would it be to go sprinting down a hill, full speed, with a huge grin on my face, shouting “TODAY I AM ALIVE! I AM 43!!!”
Unlikely. But why? Shouldn’t every day be a day to celebrate with the same exuberance as the little boy? He gave me a spring in my step and a smile on my face. It was a great reminder to celebrate each day.
The other thing on my mind was the gutsiness of youth. Not entirely sure that is a word, but you know….gutsy. Brave. Unquestioning. This lesson was courtesy of my son.
Like his mama, he is a writer. Except a blog would be way old school. He writes music – rap songs, to be specific. He and a buddy from his basketball team (who attends another school) started writing songs together, performing them, putting them on Soundcloud, and have developed a bit of a local following amongst their age group. I thought this was really quite cool – and gutsy – because some people are not kind online.
And then – they were invited to perform at a birthday party of one of his buddie’s classmates. For real. An actual real live performance. I was nervous for him, but didn’t say so.
But this kid, he couldn’t wait. He practiced with his buddy. They jumped on a real live stage. Rapped their hearts out to about 50 kids as lights and a DJ spun behind them. The crowd went crazy, kids had their phones out taking photos, and he even signed autographs. Crazy.
I only got to see the crowd’s reaction because a few videos were shared. It would be super uncool to have your mom at the performance. But I will treasure these videos. They make my heart so full. Of pride. Of joy. And of curiosity.
What if I approached my days with this same confidence? Never shying away from the opportunity to jump on stage – even if I am still learning? Even if someone else may be better? Why not me? That is the lesson from my son this week-end. If you get the chance to jump on stage, you jump. And you make a lifetime memory – no matter what.
The Redefining 