Several years ago, my friend Kim joined Lilly, Molly and me for a hike at our local arboretum. I was tired and just wanted to stick to the hiking trail, but of course, the girls wanted to go down the bank of the creek and skip rocks by the water like we usually did.
I would have been content to stay up top and wait for them, but Kim had other plans.
“Come on, Lois,” she called to me as she began making her way down to the water’s edge.
Down I went.
Not because I felt like skipping rocks, but because I realized in that instant that such playful times were not guaranteed, that I needed to make the most of them when they happened. Having lost her teenage son in a tragic accident, Kim knew that all too well, and her quiet example spurred me into action.
And not just that day. The girls are much older now, but her words still play in my mind when I’m tired and worn and not really excited about doing something with them.
“Come on, Lois,” I tell myself. “Life’s but a vapor. Enjoy the moment while it’s here. You can take a nap later.”
♥ Lois