wake-up

So . . . A few things have caught my attention lately. Made me pause for reflection. It will probably be obvious why.

First, Warrick really does provide a running commentary on all things he sees and that float through his sweet little head. I've mentioned before his "bye-bye" routine as he leaves one location for another.

We were leaving church yesterday and he saw his friends Max and Lincoln and older sister Lilly - or, according to Warrick, "Max and other Max". He wanted to walk them in and hold hands, because, of course, that's what you do in parking lots. Here was his mantra as we left them at the sidewalk, "bye-bye Max . . . bye-bye friends . . . bye-bye park (the church has one) . . . bye-bye church . . . (long pause) wake-up baby . . . wake-up church . . . wake-up church . . . wake-up church . . . wake-up church!"

So interesting, these profound things that children say. I took it to heart.

Secondly, I've noticed lately a bit of a tendency to hold tightly to my own agenda - even if it is simply the agenda of taking the shortest route between A and B.

Instance one: Get from door of YMCA to inside of car.

What sometimes goes through my head as we leave. "Don't pound on the door of gym where basketball is played, don't step on the ropes at the rock wall, don't spin the bronze statue of the dog, don't push the disabled door opening button multiple times, Don't stop to touch bike, don't walk on the ledge, don't throw rocks, don't stare at waterpark or swing from step rail, don't touch every car we pass or gawk at motorcycle, and for heaven's sake - don't hit the kid we pass as we're trying to get out the door with all our gear, and please don't muscle me to let you sit in the driver's seat." All the while I listen to the enthusiastic running commentary. "Basketball! Hole! Dog! I push button! Bike! I got you! Rock! Car! Michael! (Motorcycle . . . . duh), I drive!!!" Toddler's circuit training, if you will.

(By the way, this would be far more amusing if you knew my son and realized that this is what happens every single time - in that order and at high volume. I honestly do enjoy his curiosity most of the time. However, when I'm also carrying two bags and a carseat complete with small child, on some days, it's a little laborious. Regardless, I simply do not have the energy to set up a gazillion boundaries or rules simply to cater to my preferences. And I absolutely do not have the energy to bludgeon every one else in my care with "don't do this, don't do that". While teaching, I found that more rules with me as the enforcer only exposed my inability to be consistent and left me exhausted. Quite honestly, I sometimes couldn't remember the rules I made. So, I usually just keep my mouth shut.)

We do have rules, by the way. Like . . . don't throw trains into the baby's bed while she's sleeping, or not sleeping, or how about never throw anything into her bed. Period. And don't throw forks or spoons or food. Especially not at your great grandparents in restaurants. Praise God his aim isn't incredibly precise yet, and Praise God your great grandpa William wears thick glasses.

And instance Two: While driving home from the YMCA on the same day, I approached the round-a-bout near the park only to yield to an unusually slow moving vehicle. Initially I thought something might be wrong, especially as I watched it lumber around, nearly edging curbs on both sides, and then exit the round-a-bout right back onto the road from which it came. Unfortunately, this road was also mine and so I do what every intelligent driver does when you are following someone who is driving too slow. I got as close as I could without being a complete idiot and slid myself over the center line so when the driver looked into their side mirror, they would see, "OKAY! I'm going, I'm going . . . . ."

And then I notice the sign. STUDENT DRIVER. I inch back. Give him some grace. I think to myself, "He's just learning, no big deal. You're not even in a hurry" But wow . . . . for the sake of everyone else on the road, I hope this kid fails. I was astonished to see how difficult it was for this poor child to stay between two generously wide lines on the ground. Had he never driven anything before? Are you dodging any Canadian geese, sweetheart? NOPE. I shouldn't say dodging . . . there must be a different word for it when you are moving so slow. Check spedometer. 10.

Truly. 10. We were not in a parking lot, a school zone or on precarious terrain. 10. I can and have run that fast. I don't think it even required my pushing the accelerator to maintain the same speed.

But why was it so annoying to me? And, for the record, it annoys me when people drive the speed limit on this particular road. 25. Also, not a very fast number. Anyway - Yes, I can be a real jerk sometimes. Breathe deeply. Why am I in such a hurry? Both of my children are peacefully sleeping in the backseat. I have nowhere to be anytime soon.

So I'm reminded. SLOW DOWN. Pay attention. Linger. ENJOY the uniqueness of these moments, these curiosities, this silly slow driver. (but really - maybe stick to bikes for a while, kiddo)