You can't make this stuff up

This happened this weekend. 

You can't just make this stuff up! 

An older, wiser, amazing couple were in the pool this weekend.

They grabbed my attention as I noticed the wife heading over to the slide. My first thought was "that's awesome she is going down the slide!" 

Then I glance over and there is her husband...

fidgeting with the phone, 

telling her to wait a minute, 

then came the hand gesture for her to go...

he made a video of her going down the slide!

It didn't stop there. They watched the clip. Laughed.

Then off he goes. 

Yep. He was headed down the slide and there she was standing with her phone to video it. 

I could not stand the awesomeness of the moment so after contemplating it for about 3 minutes I swam over to where they were hanging out and said...."ya know if you wanted to race, I could record it for you." It took them all of 1 second to make that decision! 

She responded with "Oh yes then I could post it on Facebook!"

Oh I love them even more now.

Afterwards I got their phone number and texted the video to them (their phone died) as they were watching it on my phone he harassed her that he obviously won. They re-watched it and she noted he took off before she said "Go" so she planned to post it on Facebook with the caption "Cheater!" 

As I walked away smiling to my core, 

the gentlemen said "Thank you so much, that just made our vacation." 

I just said "No, thank you." 

It made my day.

Still makes me smile today.

Life is hard.

Life is full of responsibilities, stress, day to day tasks.

How does one  maintain a sense of adventure, like these two lovely folks?

. 

I'm sure they have had their fair share of hardships.

I don't know their life story.

I don't need to.

I can see it in their eyes. 

I know that they choose to live this one wild and crazy life they've been given.

That's all I need to know to find admiration for who they are. 

When I grow up I want to be like them.

Where am I?

It is in me to be the person I want to be.

I know its in there but sometimes it gets hidden, buried, tangled with other parts of me.

I want to be the person that embraces life.

I want to be the person that realizes bad things happen, but that we cannot let those define the next day.

I want to be the person that when my day comes to make the journey from this life, whether that is tomorrow or 70 years from now, there are no regrets, no wish I would have's or could have's.

I realize there will always be things you want to do, things to dream,

but the regrets
they come from a different place than dreams.
Do you get that?

I want to be the person that is always dreaming of new adventures,

yet is perfectly content with the here and now.

(Currently I've been a tired, not so content, slightly cranky version of me)

I had gotten in the habit a few years ago of making smaller, more seasonal bucket lists, but I let life take over and that fell by the way side. Tonight I dug for my car keys at the end of a visit. I checked each pocket twice and started to freak out that I locked them in the van.
They were in my hand the entire time.
I was holding my keys as I frantically dug to find....my keys.

I am pretty sure it's  sign that I need to find my center again.

 I thought to myself on my way home tonight....
tonight you will make your spring bucket list.
It's fun to dream yes,
however it holds me accountable,
that seems like the wrong word but it holds me accountable to what really matters.
To the things that could be regrets some day.

My spring list is blank.

It's funny really because usually my lists do not involve grand, difficult to plan tasks, but more everyday pleasures and still the cursors sits and blinks at me...mocking me. Stupid cursor.

Last night I came home from work and literally had to ask myself this question to get myself back on task "Did you rush from work because you felt bad about the dishes on the counter or did you rush because you feel bad that you haven't seen your children today?
Then I ask of you why are you spending your time on the other?"  FOCUS

Maybe I just talked myself through a full circle to realize I am lacking FOCUS currently.

So until I reorganize the pieces I am,

back into proper order,

anyone want to take a stab at starting a spring list for me?

FOCUS PEOPLE! This is important!

Our day. March 13th.

My job since day one has been to raise you, grow you, guide you, to set you free one day.

This week was filled with reminders of how fragile life is,
so this weekend we celebrated life.
This crazy, chaotic, sometimes hard, but still blessed life.

Sometimes I lay awake at night wondering what your journey in life will be. What paths will you walk. Will you know happiness? Will you know love? Will you feel success? Confidence?
Will you take on this world and make it a better place?

Will you always remember what really matters? Will you make the right choices when faced with a choice between what is right and what is popular?

Will you remember to love life!? Will you smile. Laugh. Enjoy. Treasure all that you can.

When you are grown will I look back and know I've done all I could to give you all those things.

Have I lived my life the way I want you to live yours? Have I given you the correct "shoes" to walk the paths that your life is going to take you on. I know all too well that the ground work is already laid for you. Oh Cohen have I done what I needed? Will I do what I need to as time goes on?

Will you recognize the value of your own wife and kids someday?

What secrets will you carry?

Will you remember to pursue the things you love? The things that make you happy?

There is such an enormous amount of responsibility when taking on the role of "mom" or "parent." When you blew out your candles and wished for derby cars, spray paint, a phone, you know cool stuff,  I was along side you blowing out mine and wishing more than anything that I have given you everything you need to take this journey in life and find happiness. My love for you is immeasurable. Happy birthday Cohen.