Summer Memory

 When I worked with children in therapy, 

one of my questions was, "What is your favorite memory?"

I loved hearing answers, mostly because they were so simple.

Many of them were times that were blips on a screen,

yet stuck with the child forever.

My favorite answer was from a little boy who 

had been removed from his parents' care and would 

never see his biological family again.

His favorite memory was when his mom

gave him a piggyback ride.  Once.
His face lit up when he told me and I could picture
this wonderful, simple snapshot it in my mind.  

His mom engaging and giving him time.  

One evening after work I picked up the kids

from daycamp and we were on the hunt for a Tropical Sno supper snack!

Our usual spot was closed, so we ventured out to the mall.

We bought our treats and the boys followed a trail of ducks along the pond.  

At first I could feel myself wanting to hurry up and go home.

Spending time in the heat and high heels didn't sound fun at all.

I felt like I was wasting time, and then I sat and watched.

I saw the boys enjoying their sno cups and

marveling at the little fuzzy animal world in front of them ... 

laughing, pointing, running.

Hey, and no fighting!

Our evening was simple and it's something we've done in the past,

but it really bridged to my clients and talking about their

favorite times and how easily we can miss them.

We take them for granted.

We hurry or look ahead.

We get caught in our mind and lose sight of our heart.

We think of what we could be doing ... should be doing ...

and not be present in the life in front of us.