After a week of back pain, all I wanted to do was to sit and vegetate on the sofa. Put my feet up and have a quiet evening relaxing, but the knock on the door told me the next few hours might be otherwise. As the dogs began barking, four generations of women entered and all I could do was sit and hope for the best. From the oldest to the youngest, the liveliest among them bounced into the room and back into our hearts. The energy that two year olds have still amazes me, and yes, I wish I could bottle it for future times in need like this one. With her youthful enthusiasm came a wave of energy that somehow uplifted me, filled me with joy, and made me smile for the first time in days. Maybe this unexpected family visit would go well after all.
I eased back into the chair to welcome Isabella, the newest member of the family and thoughts of my own daughter came to mind. The moments of birth, the ride home from the hospital, and the thirty years since that followed all too quickly. My daughter, my now grown up baby girl, would be returning home this week with her husband and I could hardly wait to hug her again as I did Isabella.
I had almost forgotten how little newborns can be. Isabella weighed less than eight pounds and her head easily nestled within my hand, but what strength she had. Her feet pushed against my arm and I prayed she would continue to grow strong and healthy. Her long fingers wrapped around my pinky and I prayed she would continue to grasp for all that life has to offer her. Then her eyes opened wide and as a smile began to form, I prayed she would always have someone to smile back at her.
Life passes all too quickly. It’s important to take the time to sit with loved ones, to smile back at them, and to show them that you care. To play with the liveliest, to care for the eldest, and to nurture the youngest. Take the time you need to meet and make a caring connection with all the generations of your family. For you may find as I did that their presence uplifts, fills you with joy, and simply makes you smile.
I had forgotten about my back pain for a few hours that evening. I had thought about my daughter and all the members of our family. I had been reminded of my vital connections or to all those loved ones both here and in spirit that surround me still, and of all the possibilities to life. The unexpected visit to meet and welcome Isabella had gifted me with much more than I had hoped for that evening. I had been gifted with all that truly comforts and heals. I had been gifted with both joy and laughter. I had been gifted with the presence of family and loved ones. The gifts of love had connected more than generations. It had connected hearts and souls. It had bridged both time and space. It had reminded me once again of how to live. Not in hopes of simply sitting and vegetating, but in creating a wave of energy that somehow uplifts others, fills them with joy, and allows them to smile, if only for the first time in days. Maybe then, any visit with others will most assuredly always go well.
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