Stop To Smell the Roses

We all know what we 'should' do, but every day we seem to forget.  I'm speaking of course for myself, yet I can bet this may apply to you..the reader as well.

I know for instance that I should slow down.  I should give my children more quality time; key word being quality.  Every day seems to be a repeat of the next (think ground hog day..the movie).  We (my family) wake up and go through the motions.  We get ready, eat breakfast, rush out the door; daycare, school and work.  We come home and do much of the same.  Through these motions we kiss each other good morning and good night, ask about each others day..without really listening for the answer (because we're on to the next thing), we eat dinner together, a rule in our house..which is probably a good thing because it's the longest time we actually spend together..and then poof..we start all over again.

Stop to smell the roses... I really must.

Life is too short, it's important to remember what really matters.

In the mornings when I'm racing around trying to get ready, I sometimes get annoyed when my daughter wants in the bathroom...but I shouldn't be.  She wants to be like her mom; wants to brush her teeth like I do, fix her hair, put on some eyeshadow... if I stopped to smell the roses I would notice how proud this makes her feel.. to be just like mommy.  THAT is the quality I'm talking about..and that is what I hope she remembers (and what I remember) in the end.

It's like when I'm really engrossed in something I'm doing; writing, working, reading etc..and my teenage son wants to talk to me.  He doesn't just talk, he stammers..repeats things..and it takes him 10 minutes to ask me a simple question.  I often react like he is interrupting me, like he's taking up my 'valuable time'...but if I stopped to smell the roses...I would realize he IS my valuable time.  He may be a teenager, and he may only choose to talk to me when it's convenient for him, but he's one of the reasons I live.  He is my son..teenager or not.  He is not done being raised...and I hope he always takes the time to talk to me.

I don't want to wake up an old lady some day and discover he doesn't have anything to say to me.

It's when my step-son wants to show me something he's created, because he's proud of it... as most children are; I glance up from whatever I'm doing and say "that's nice"... but If I stopped to smell the roses I would realize that if the same reaction were given to me, I would be heartbroken.  A child's creation no matter how small is something that makes them feel proud of themselves..which means of course..that it truly is a thing of beauty.

And...

Perhaps if I stopped to smell the roses I would laugh more and cry more.  I would love more, smile more, and fear less... but most of all I would set an example for my children.  I would show them that taking the time to live fully and love those around you wholly is really the only thing in life that matters.

I wrote this a long time ago.  I only blogged it now as my family was handed yet another diagnosis... this time my teenage son has been diagnosed with Epilepsy.  I was not present for his tests (away on business)... and although I initiated the testing... it does not take away the guilt that I should have been there... which was a reminder once again... to myself... to stop and smell the roses.