TODAY

Today is the only day that we have. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is anyone’s guess. I don’t write this to be profound or deep, but I am sitting next to my boys while they eat popcorn on the porch and swing in the hammock. They are content to sit and talk right now. Tim…almost 9, just said: “Wow, Daddy. The sky is so blue right now. It’s like a perfect blue and a perfect day with the sun it’s so warm, it’s perfect.” Ted (age 6) just asked me if we could get out the telescope tonight and try to see some “cool space stuff.”

It occurs to me right now that these two thoughts are currently the center of their world. This is good. They are giggling, swinging, and munching, all while just looking at the beauty of the day. Too often all the grownups seem too busy bitching about political views, the cost of everything, our jobs, family dysfunction, and everything in between and miss the beauty. Stop and take stock for a moment. See that outside? It’s a gift. Unwrap it everyday and realize that just being here is amazing. AMAZING.

Once upon a time, we all ate popcorn and swung in a hammock on a sunny day. We laughed and laughed and wondered what was in the night sky. At some point, we all grew up and became grumpy and stressed, while still having the same 24 hours as everyone else….including the kids. Grownups worry about “time management”, and “getting ahead” (I still don’t know what the hell that means)….ahead of what? Grownups spend hours stressing about things that may never happen, all the while “spinning out” scenarios in our minds about what others are thinking about us while trying to live in the best image that reflects how we want to be seen, received, and accepted by everyone else. Grownups think “I should have said this….or I shouldn’t have said that.” Kids test the social fabric by saying whatever is on their minds and I usually find it hilarious…..at least with my own kids inside my house.

In the middle of the blue sky popcorn hammock swing, I hear laughter, boys tickling each other and trying out jokes. I hear kids developing their humor, asking each other why farting is funny, and falling off the hammock onto the floor. I see boys throwing socks and turning the hammock into a raft lost in a choppy sea while they try to survive the waves. I hear dumb comments and why one flavor of ice cream is better than another. I hear LEGO and video game talks. The tooth fairy is discussed as well as the inordinate length of summer vacation. (How long is 75 days Daddy? That’s like….until Christmas or something right?). I learn that all you need to survive on a desert island is Mac-n-Cheese, cookies, and French fries. You don’t need a potty because you can just pee into the ocean. No problem. I learn that infinite is bigger than a billion and that summer is the best because of popsicles, swimming, playing with friends, summer camp and family road trips. I learn that kids have magic and that it is replenished each day upon waking.

I learn that the grownups can and should learn from the kids. Excuse me, it’s time for me to get in the hammock and hold my kids. Who wants ice cream?

Keep the magic going. Take it from the kids. They know best.

Stay safe, stay awesome, and stay tuned.