beWARM

I think I may remain in baby and toddlerland indefinitely.

Insulated from the world at large for the past two weeks, daily life has assumed a simplicity of sorts.  Meals and laundry punctuate activities with Enza as we encourage her in her new role as The Big Sister.  Theo, on the other hand, can while away the hours with his snoozing.

What  better place to sit with prayerful thoughts than with a sleeping infant in your arms?

Snuggling with Enza to watch a “viveo” is a close second.

World and national events occur whether or not I am paying attention. My phone transmits the major headlines – but beyond that, I am clueless. And that might not be a bad thing these days.

What I have lacked in intellectual stimulation has been supplanted by imaginative pursuits.  I have “traveled” to the jungle and Hawaii, defended myself from shark attacks, run endless laps around the house playing Santa and Rudolph(complete with jingle bells), gyrated at dance parties, and sung endless Christmas carols.

In the food and craft department, we have baked reindeer cupakes, cut-out cookies and buckeyes (Ohio State still rules), colored pictures and stuck stickers on paper. Q-tip paintings are a popular pastime as well.

Walks around the neighborhood have led to the coffee shop, Enza’s preschool, the playground, and…to nowhere in particular.  The beauty of being with a toddler is the lack of concern for the destination. Rather, the act of journeying is the thrill of it all.

Back in the Christmas mode, we have seen The Nutcracker and visited the reindeer farm where Donner and Blitzen happily munched their greens as they rested up for their Christmas Eve duties.

We managed to squeeze in ballet and swimming lessons, too.

And to think I have been here barely two weeks…

Idyllic as all  of this may sound, I have taken a few licks.  I anticipated being rebuffed occasionally in deference to Mom and Dad…but being told, “Nana, you have a smooshie bum” did sting a  bit (after I stopped laughing). Oh, from the mouths of babes…

What I do realize is that these precious moments are times that can not be duplicated…ever again.  And how fortunate am I to experience this daily routine so different from my own.  Receiving people and events at face value, being curious about everything, living with innocent gusto…toddlers do  provide lessons in being fully present.

Real life, suspended, does have its perks. Who cares if you stay in your jammies until late morning, or if you’re having a bad hair day. None of this holds importance in little lives.

And what a feeling it is when that small sweet hand reaches up for mine…

As Christmas approaches, I wish for all of  your hearts to sing like jingle bells, soar like  reindeer, and be full of love and thanks for the birth of the baby Jesus. His unconditional love appears everywhere – and especially in the souls of little ones.

May we all see the world more like they do…