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I live on a beautiful piece of land in rural Wisconsin. When the snow melts and spring emerges, we truly have some of the most beautiful flowers and foliage I have ever seen. In our front yard is a big flowering tree. Each spring, it blossoms with thousands upon thousands of little purple flowers. I imagine the pathway into Heaven must have these trees at its gates. At its peak, the tree actually sounds like it's buzzing, because every bee within a 10-mile radius, seems to enjoy the tree as much as I do.
We have only spent a couple spring seasons on this property. This year, as I watched this beautiful tree blossom, I vowed to take a picture and capture this beauty. As I drove up the driveway each evening, I kept thinking, I have to take that picture! The tree is only at full peak for a matter of days. When I finally walked outside with my camera, the moment was gone and the flowers had begun to wilt and fall to the ground.
I stared at the tree for a while that day. It was a simple moment that I had missed. A moment that would have only taken a minute or two to capture—but "living" got in the way.
What a paradox that is. I trust the tree will still be there next spring—but there are no guarantees. We have storms, tornados, there are bugs, etc. What if I missed that moment? What if like other moments in life, it can't be reclaimed?
What moments have you missed recently? A chance to hug a relative? A chance to listen to a child's joke (and laugh even when they are telling it for the 100th time)? A chance to enjoy a beautiful day with a walk? A chance to compliment a stranger and enjoy their smile? A chance to tell your significant other how much he means to you? A chance to hold your child's hand?
For the moments we have missed, let us not be hard on ourselves, but let us learn to capture the moments that arrive today and every day going forward. Moments are life's magic.
SO YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK IS TWO-FOLD:
Recall several "moments" that you missed. Now make a resolution to "find a moment" at least 5 times within the next 60 days. Become aware of the magic of a moment—and capture it while you can. Make a "Moment Memo" in your C.A.N. (Catch-All Notebook). The more you get in the habit of capturing the moments, the more magical moments will come to you.
AND SECONDLY, MAKE A MOMENT (and write in on your calendar!):
One day this week stop at the store and pick up the following:
1. Hershey chocolate bars
2. Marshmallows
3. Graham crackers
(Can you guess where this is going?)
Using a fireplace, grill, or a microwave, have a S'More Night. Every family member gets one or two S'Mores and then sit together and talk and enjoy some family time. If it goes well, try making the last Sunday of every month, Sunday S'More Night!
How to make S'Mores in your microwave:
Break a graham cracker in half and place on a microwave-safe plate. (You can make as many as you can fit on your plate!)
Place ½ of a chocolate bar on one cracker piece
Place a marshmallow on the other half of the cracker piece
Microwave for 20 seconds, watching closely. Marshmallows puff in the microwave—so make sure not to over-puff! (Although children will find the mess rather hysterical, so it might be worth it!) Place the two cracker-halves together and enjoy a gooey, delicious, family favorite.