be present
one of the best parts about spending the month in western north carolina is getting to spend time with my brother, who lives in asheville. and one of the best things about his status here as a local is that he takes us on adventures that cannot be found on trail maps and in guidebooks. who knew that there are hidden trail heads on exit ramps and places on earth where poison ivy and private property give way to scenes like this?
the monkey and bird were experiencing their first day of clubs, a day camp at montreat, while the adults were embarking upon waterfall hike. but i could not help but be distracted by daydreams of a future time, when my little boys will be big boys, old enough and eager to climb the rocks and dunk their heads under the rushing water. sometimes there is so much promise in the future that it is difficult to stay in the present.
in our current stage of toddlerhood, afternoon naps, and the boys’ almost constant need for assistance, it is so easy to get swept away by far off notions that someday, adult conversation and uninterrupted sleep will re-enter our lives. and then i catch myself forgetting that this time of sloppy nose-kisses, uninhibited delight, the honest articulation of fears, sweet sweaty ringlets, triumph over small accomplishments, and the natural wisdom of innocence is fleeting and precious. i know i will long for this stage when it is gone.
when we were on our way to the mountains on friday, i received an email from the rental company pressuring us to decide upon our rental plans for next year. never mind that we had not even begun our mountain adventure for the current year. never mind that we were, at the time, simply trying to make a bag of pipe cleaners last for the remainder of our trek down I-40.
the world will lure us prematurely into the future if we haven’t already wandered there ourselves. for me, being fully present in the moment is something i talk about and value, though i find it almost impossible to do! apparently, as i learned on our hike, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words, “BE PRESENT” does not automatically calm the multi-tasking mind.
funny how this does, though:
i take solace in the fact that there are moments scattered here and there that seem to stand outside of time. thank goodness for a spontaneous plunge into frigid water; the surrender of the bird, who stops resisting his nap long enough to rest his head on my chest; and the first cup of coffee enjoyed on a tree-top porch.
speaking of coffee, let us not underestimate its importance when it comes to living in the present and parenting small children.
Tags: adult conversation, asheville, be present, brother, clubs, hike, montreat, present moment, toddlerhood, uninterrupted sleep, waterfall, western north carolina
July 7th, 2010 at 7:01 am
what a joyful last photo! it truly says summer.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Man, what a great post. I wish I was there, dunking my body in the frigid water, forcing myself to be present in today and not miss out on the excitement b/c I’m looking ahead all the time! Thanks for the reminder (and the pics from a place I, too love)!
July 7th, 2010 at 8:16 am
amen to the coffee, i’m truly learning again (and again). amen to presence and finding one’s place within it as you are surrounded by it. amen to waterfalls unknown to guide books, good time in the green-ness of earth, and for sacred waters that move.
thanks, m.a. for these gentle reminders as we stick our toes in the water of your stories.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I would like to add an amen to the importance of coffee. And add that it is important when facing two days of packing and loading up a house to move, with two toddlers underfoot. I am on my 2nd cup….and looking forward to enjoying it a few states away on a back porch overlooking the water.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:27 am
MA, you are so wise to recognize this while experiencing it. The temptation is so great to rush through each stage and wish for more independence. However, here’s a report from the other side: *every* stage is wonderful, and that includes the empty nest stage! Just as you don’t want to push yourself and your kids too fast into the future, don’t mourn over the end of stages, either. The entire journey is wonderful – revel in all of it!
July 7th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
YESSSSSS!!!! (especially to the coffee bit).
July 8th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
What a beautiful day!
July 12th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I so needed to read this today. I’m Jamie’s friend from the Guatemalan adventure, and also a Presbyterian minister newly on the road of ministry and parenthood. Today, after our nanny was a no-show again, and I began the scramble of plan c, d, e, f, and g, because we’re long past plan b, I savored your words and the pictures of a place that is dear to me and especially the holy whisper to enjoy this fleeting stage of life. It’s a risky and magnificent thing to have a daughter named Grace because all of a sudden, I find myself finding “Grace” in all sorts of things.