A Perfect Day

Today was a perfect day.  I have had several perfect days in my life and I spent each one in awe of that fact that things really could be this good or that my soul really could feel as though it is smiling…and thankfully today was one of those days.

This is my last week as full-time nanny for my beautiful niece Harlowe Rose and as I mourn the fact that this is ending I also cling to each second that I get to spend with her, which is part of what made today a perfect day.  She woke at her usual time and took a short morning nap before she and I took the jogging stroller out on an adventure.  The sun was supposed to be intermittent today so I knew we had to take advantage of it while we could.  We walked through the neighborhood, through the park, up and down curbs and sidewalks as she babbled about to passing trees and birds.  For those who do not have immediate access to a babbling infant, find one.  It is one of the most precious sounds possible.  Just as we got inside and opened a few windows the rain came and engulfed the living room with both the sounds and smell of spring.  It was so refreshing.  After eating bananas like a big girl (we are working on this!), Harlowe fell asleep and we took a nap to the sound of the rain…which let me tell you is one of the all-time favorite things to do. 

We spent the rest of the morning and afternoon playing on sofa, dancing around the living room and cuddling up for naps.  It was truthfully perfect and as she fell asleep for one last nap while holding the collar of my shirt I felt like my heart could burst with love for this tiny, precious infant girl who has made such an impact on my life.  Each coo, each snore, each cry and each giggle is so monumental to me and I have loved being a part of this. 

A few months ago when I first started watching Harlowe I wrote a blog post that I never published about the simple pleasures that God obviously intends for His people and I felt very reminiscent of that post today...so I kind of mixed the two which is quite appropriate for how all over the place my brain has been lately. 

Life is stressful.  There are deadlines and planning and planning for deadlines all of which are overwhelming to me at any given moment of my day.  I have decided this week, and in this moment of spring rain, coffee filled bliss that it really can be about the small things sometimes.  One of my many mantras of survival is “don’t sweat the small stuff” but I think of the flipside of this I can say “enjoy all of the small stuff.”  Enjoy the aroma of your favorite bodywash that lingers in the bathroom far after the shower is over, love the change of the weather and focus on the rain or sun rather than the allergies that spring can bring, have the fun of a child for the short time that a child is in my daily routine and I am able to see first hand the fascination of experiencing life for the first time and finally, embrace the love of my heavenly father who orchestrated each of these small moments so that I could enjoy them.  So for now, go enjoy your day.  Whether that be sunshine, rain, stress or carefree, make the most of it because you can!  I hope for you that today can be a perfect day too.