The other day Sawyer was crunching cereal out of his Mickey Mouse bowl when suddenly he put down his spoon and exclaimed in an ecstatic voice that only a three year old could muster, “MOMMY!!!!! LOOK!!!!!! HERE ARE MICKEY MOUSE’S EARS!!!!!!”
Admittedly, this baffled me. I had no idea why he would be so excited about seeing Mickey Mouse’s ears in the bowl he has been eating out of for approximately one year.
Then I realized he had been eating out of the bowl for a year but JUST NOW saw that it was shaped like Mickey Mouse.
Oh, is he ever my son…
Sometimes I can’t see the forest for the trees either. I catch myself going through the motions. It’s “Groundhog’s Day” every day.
For the record, I have never, not even once, seen what I am supposed to see in those “visual puzzle” posters that were all the rage years back. I could stare for hours and still never see anything but a bunch of speckles. When others would look at it for even two seconds and exclaim “Oh, yeah – look! It’s Mt. Rushmore!”, I would still be trying to focus on the middle and let my eyes shift out of focus in a desperate attempt to see what they saw as well.
I so often can’t see what’s right in front of me and truth be told, this little quirk of mine is one I absolutely can’t stand. I am working on changing it but old habits die hard.
But the moment the lightbulb goes off and a connection is made? Oh, my. I live for that. It’s the single most reason I became a teacher. Those little lightbulbs.
Mine included. I will never stop learning.
“Did you know this, mama? Did you know that my cereal bowl is shaped like Mickey Mouse?” he excitedly asks with a gleam in his eye. He waits with baited breath. He is longing to be my teacher.
“Sawyer! No, I had not noticed that before! Oh my, you are like a little detective – I wonder how many other things you’ll discover today!” I replied.
His chest puffed in pride as he wallowed in the fact that he had discovered something his mother hadn’t.
May we all be blessed with seeing what is right in front of us today. A messy house but yet, still a house that doesn’t have a dirt floor. An energetic youngster that depletes energy but yet, one that is healthy and is able to run, play, and giggle. A flawed spouse that may not be perfect but yet a spouse who loves you for who you are right at this moment.
The blessings are endless. They are right in front of us – if we choose to see them.
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
What is something you are incredibly thankful for today?
Aww, what a sweet boy! Love his excitement!
I am thankful for so many things, but today I am thankful for the chance to get my garden put in and get started growing food for my family. Gabe doesn’t have school today, so he is going to help. The weather is sunny and 70 degrees, and we got the perfect amount of rain this weekend…no floods here, thank God.
Hope you have a wonderful day, Natalie!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Kool-aid…only 25 cents! =-.
I am thankful for you and your precious words, dear Natalie. Seeing the picture of you and S brings so many memories to mind of my precious children when they were young. It’s a blessing to read your words and wonderful to be reminded about gratitude and seeing the big picture in life. xoxo Julie
That is kinda hard to do – see the forest for the trees. I love it when that lightbulb clicks on and understanding seeps in. Watching it in my children is even more rewarding but also sad. I want so much for them to stay little and cute and not grow up, but I know it’s inevitable. *sigh* Once again, thanks for the reminder!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Bloggy Boot Camp part 1 =-.
I had a moment just like that this weekend and blogged about it today. Great minds . . . :)
I’m thankful that God opens my eyes to the blessing of sticky fingers, a book read one more time, and a quiet night.
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..Fading Light Reveals Him =-.
Hi, What lucky children to have such an awesome mom. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Think of you often and the beautiful gift you have been to so many students and teachers and now with your precious little ones. Continue to treasure each moment, they grow up so fast. God bless. Jan
JAN!!!!! You know you are such a HUGE inspiration to me!!! I think of you often as well. The other day I was helping my little one get dressed and he threatened to run around naked for the rest of the day if he couldn’t wear his Cars shirt…I’m sure you know EXACTLY who I thought of at that moment…I still chuckle over that scene and always marvel at your steadfast calm and compassion you showed each and every one of those students. I wish you could come and live in my house for a few weeks and I could learn some of your peaceful and kind ways…:)
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jan. It made my day to hear from you!
Oh I just LOVE this post! (see a theme? I pretty much love ALLLLLL your posts!)
I have moments like this all the time and lately, I’ve been reminded left and right about just how blessed I am. We’ve suffered a lot in this nasty economic storm, but we are alive, well and able to keep on truckin’! God has given us energy and wisdom to prevail. I feel His love through all of our friends and family.
~melody~
.-= ~Melody @ 6 Feet Over~´s last blog ..#37 ~ Motivation Monday – 100 Year Old Doctor, Dr. W.G. Watson =-.
Melody, you are so kind. Thank you for your sweet compliment.
We are so blessed beyond measure and I forget it almost constantly. Keep on truckin’ girl – you know He won’t hang you out to dry.
Thanks for reading and commenting, dear one!
You have a wonderful way of tying stories together- I love your writing style.
.-= sara@domesticallychallenged´s last blog ..Ax Murderers as they relate to giveaways =-.
Thanks, Sara! I appreciate your kind words and I think YOU are absolutely hilarious…
Just what I needed to hear today! Thank you Natalie :-)
OH I’m so glad…He always knows just what we need when we need it, doesn’t He? You are so very welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting, Bridgett!
my son does this everyday when he discovers something new. isnt it great?
.-= cheri´s last blog ..election fever =-.