For the past five years I've had little feet all around me. The past year, it's been two pair of little feet constantly traveling this road of life with me. And often I wonder how much easier (happier?) life will be when these little feet get bigger. It's always things will get better when....when Shayne starts walking.....when they stop waking up in the middle of the night.....when they both are in school......when they can both dress themselves....when they can wash the dishes.
Got a big revelation today. Things are better right now. Right where I'm planted. Happiness is not some far off thing. It's not something that happens outside of my situation in some future I've imagined up. No, it's planted firmly under my feet--and as you can see from the picture above--firmly on top of my feet as well!
My 20-year class reunion is coming up this August. 20 years! And I look back over all the years that I've walked this earth and see all the times when I saw my happiness in the distance. When I graduate from college. When I get married. When I have kids. When my kids grow up. When I get that perfect job. When I get a new car. When I get a house all my own. When I lose 10 pounds. Ridiculous to always be thinking ahead like that when tomorrow is not even promised. Thinking of friends who are not happy where they are approaching 20 years out of high school while I look in and see how good things really are for them.
Gonna take a lesson from two little guys who call me mommy, kick off my shoes and enjoy the moment where I'm standing. Happiness is growing up big and wild around my ankles like the fragrant jasmine bushes outside my front door. Look down, you'll probably see that it's growing right where you are standing as well.
* Self-portrait: Mommy and Shayne's 16 month old feet.
