Reflection

Originally posted 10/18/12

On this beautiful fall day I was able to sit back and reflect on the blessings I have been given.

I took little miss to the memorial trail nearby to go for a nice long walk. The sidewalks near our house are so bumpy so it was nice to be on smooth pavement for once. I got myself a pumpkin spice latte and put the baby in the stroller to enjoy what may be one of the last nice days where we can be outside without being bundled. It was warm enough that I could wear a long sleeved shirt and yoga pants and still be quite comfortable. Little miss of course snuggled up in her new fuzzy hat!

The trees were nearly at peak and it was quiet. I was able to really reflect on the beauty around me as we walked the trail. Joggers, dog walkers, and even a lone cyclist passed us by and we shared hellos and small talk about the weather and the baby. It made me smile that every person that passed was so friendly. You don't often have that happen anymore in the world today.

 As I walked I was alone with my thoughts and I thought, wow, I am so fortunate to be able to have this day, this moment in time. A year ago around this time I was in a rough place and never thought I would be so lucky a year later. It gives me so much perspective. We all really only have today. I think it's important to remember that. Every day little miss gets a little bigger and changes a little bit more, and the day before is gone forever. I try to remind myself to cherish each moment as it happens but sometimes everyone forgets that. Sometimes it takes a beautiful day like today to help me remember that today is a gift-after all, isn't that why they call it the present?

I saw this picture yesterday on someone's facebook and it really made me think. It's such a simple statement, but it really is the truth. Ask yourself if you have what you really need. No life isn't perfect and yes we have troubles but in the grand scheme of things do we have a roof over our head? Do we have food to eat? Do we have a beautiful family and love to share? Having those things is what life is about. If you have those then you are richer than any of the 1% and you have everything to be thankful for.



Yesterday was a rough day. The baby was very fussy all day and for a normally happy and cheerful baby it's very obvious when something is wrong. It broke my heart to hear her crying and not to know how to help her. But I didn't get angry or frustrated. I kept it together and I just held her close and rocked her. Because that's what I would want if I were her. To be held close and reminded that someone is there even if it's been a bad day. I won't always be able to hold her close and snuggle her when she is sad, but I will always be there. I hope that by keeping her close to me and giving her that security now when she needs it the most, it will remind her that mama will always be there, even when she is too big to snuggle.

So while my baby girl slept in her stroller today I thanked God for every minute with her, even the tough ones. Because for every tough minute or hour or day or sleepless night, there are a million amazing moments to cherish, and how could we be so thankful for the good without a smattering of the bad to remind us that we only have today. After all, there is "No Day but Today."

Enjoy this moment. Because today is all we have. Tomorrow, she'll be a little bigger, a little older, and a little bit closer to growing up. And while I am so excited for every milestone and to watch her grow into an amazing young woman, I want to hold on to this precious time for as long as I can before the present becomes the past and in the blink of an eye my baby isn't so little anymore.

Love and Laughs,

Danielle