Nic: I’m late! Gotta go Mom.
Me: Okay, babe. Have a great day!
Me: Love you! Bye babe.
Nic: I love you Em.
Just another typical conversation, right?
Um no. No. Not at all. Nothing typical about it. This. This is why I don’t envy any other family, this is what I treasure about MY family. This is exactly why, this conversation, this seemingly common, innocent, no-big-deal conversation…. yeah. Because this conversation has never been uttered before until this morning. And weirdly Nic and I were talking just five minutes before, while the three of us had breakfast about the importance and magic of being present. We were discussing how this moment, right now, this second will never be repeated. We may have moments like it, but this one? Nope. Never again.
And as we were talking about all of this, Nic interrupted me and we had the above conversation, the one I’ve just transcribed. It may seem un-noteworthy to many of you, you may be thinking, so what? Or who cares? But to me, this conversation that other families have, perhaps on a daily basis and don’t think twice about, they are little nuggets of pure gold because these moments with my children are gifts, each one of them, pure gifts that I am so lucky to have.
In Buddhism there is emphasis on being present and practice and it isn’t easy. It’s a simple concept, but definitely not easy for most of us to actually do. And yet, when I am able to really show up for this moment the joy is beyond description.
I will leave you with one more snippet.
And Em looked back at me and grinned before running to greet her friend.
This entry was posted in Autism, mother/daughter, Parenting and tagged Autism, being present, buddhism, communication, family, Parenting. Bookmark the permalink.
I should have added that Richard found and bought her that hat, which just added to the overall fabulousness of it!
Dear Tuthfairy Can I have stretchy poweres pleasee Thank You.
says “Live in the Now” – and I’m trying so hard to live up to that philosophy!
Love Jesse’s note, just love it!
What a thoughtful post. I love the simple, what some would call the ordinary. I don’t see and clearly you don’t see the ordinary as mundane, as something to be passed over. You celebrate that which so many pass by while they wait for some sort of magnificence? Ironic isn’t it. And I must add as well, you do a fantastic job of writing about what you touches you in your life and by doing so, you elevate it to art.
Aw, what a kind thing to say! Sending you love.
You should always revel in the simple pleasures because the huge and magnificent ones come along only very rarely.
I was thinking because the simple ones can become magnificent ones!
I love that you wrote about this today! Just yesterday my oldest daughter was leaving and said, ” bye Lawson, love you!” She was expecting him to echo her… I heard her shriek from the other room. “Mom! Lawson said ” bye Sissy, love you”. I am so blessed to be witness to my children’s lives.
Do you believe in serendipity? in coincidence? in cupcakes?
How great! Love that. By the way – Richard bought that hat for Emma!!
gramma paul I believe in cupcakes.
Mr. Asperger – you are awesome!
So do I, and so do many TV watchers, otherwise why would there be “cupcake competitions” on the Food channel? Sometimes called “cupcake wars”. I put my money on Emma every time. She is a hands-down winner.