Are there dates that come to you in a flash?  Perhaps it is a day that stands out because of who you are on that date. 

 

Other times it could be because of who you are with. 

 

Is your thinking cap in place?

 

Now think about it again. The possibilities are up to you. 

 

And to me. 

 

There are a series of dates that stand out to me.  Here is one of them. 

 

Y’all.  Breathe the details in with me, if you can. 

10 Years

This is a day that has stayed with us for the past 10 years. 

What timing! 

 

We were in summer mode a decade ago, as well.  

 

Spending hours doing what most do during the summer. 

This year included getting in a pool six days a week. 

 

Watching movies while snacking on chips.

 

Drinking lemonade and Sunny Delight in our favorite cups. Clapping to a rhythm of daily life.

Relaxing and laughing while waiting for cooler days ahead. 

 

Then there are these moments where hands are held with Dallin, Brandon and me. 

 

This time of hands being held came after a jaunt up the hill to a Children’s Hospital. 

 

Good doctors, nurses and numerous staff created a space for Dallin to complete a test of some sort or other. 

 

There were bunches of tests going on during this time so what’s one more, right? 

Pay attention

The piece to pay attention to on this day was going home again. 

That is what we were able to do quickly with support from the doctors and many others.  

 

July.  10 years ago. 

 

Dallin is holding my hand as the trip back home begins.  Hands that were a bit sleepy but happy to be on our way. 

 

Brandon drove and added to the calm we all felt. Dallin is up front, and I sit behind.

 

The hands being held here give a clue as to how the rest of the day is going to go. 

Being close while relaxing on a summer day.

 

Reaching out when needing one more thing or that snack in the afternoon. 

This day included enjoying the moment that came.

Looking up to see the joyful reminders of everyday living. 

 

Do you remember that a date can come to your mind because of who you are? 

Seeing joy

Seeing joy all around, including on days of tests, came after practice for me. 

 

Practice, you ask.  By Crickey, yes. 

What to practice became part of who I am and my being. 

 

Being aware of what is happening, what the goal for the month, week or even a day is and how to infuse each with laughter, calm and curiosity. 

 

Yes, in that order as it is great to always start with laughter!

 

Most importantly is the practice of the joyful moments that come in a blink of an eye. 

 

This could be a slap of the leg with bursts of laughter while noticing details in the music that played or one of the favorite movies. 

 

Splashing and floating in cool blue water at home or in a lake.

 

Practicing the art of keeping feet going along with the never-ending needs that pop up. 

 

Talking and communicating all along the way. 

Finding as many ways to create calm as possible. 

 

Can you feel it?  My goodness, we can.

One more thing

Now there is one more thing to do. 

 

Let’s go back to a date in your mind. Did one or two come to you? 

 

Does your date include people who are near you?  Do you get to sit next to or play with them? 

 

Sometimes, your date may include a musical rhythm as this date does for us. 

 

My friends, hold onto the dates that sit in your mind as you go on to new ones.

 

And finally, keep all that comes to you with moments of laughter and love. 

You will smile and pause with them as we do.