The Good Life

If you were to ask 100 people to define the term, "the good life," you would probably get near 100 different answers. It's such a unique and personal topic because what we consider "good" is definitely based on our perspectives.

If you asked me this question 10 years ago, my answer probably would not have looked like it does now. I'm sure it would have included a lot of similar themes like kids and family, but I probably would have mentioned that I would be working and making a decent salary after so many years of teaching, and that we would have more things or access to fun activities. I'm sure kids would have been included, and a home, and the adventures we have... but it definitely would have not been what today was.

Today was one of those "good 'ole" days that I'm sure Shawn and I will talk about when we're old. It wasn't really anything special. But, it was a good break from the normal routine and it had it's memorable moments. In fact, the only reason we had this day was because I had a chiropractor appointment in the same town Shawn delivers in, so we met him for his lunch and breaks. Literally, nothing really all that "special."

But, the kids saw their dad on a weekday during the middle of the day. They got to play at a new park in a newer neighborhood. They got to explore, run, jump, slide, spin, and so much more. They got to have a picnic lunch in the sun on a day that was fairly windy, but still felt great being outside.

And I got to witness every second of it.

I wasn't required to be at a job that controlled my life like it did a few years ago. Instead, today I got to make my kids breakfast, prep a picnic lunch, load them up, get us all adjusted at the chiropractor, and stop at a park to play for a few hours where dad happened to stop and join us.

I got the chance to see the baby explore a new playground and fearlessly conquer play equipment I had no idea she could conquer. I also got to witness her falling down a small set of stairs, run to her [which I should not have done], and comfort her, before putting her back on the stairs and slide to keep her from being fearful of the thing she fell from.

I got to see my middle daughter run free through the grass, and back to the playground, creating "obstacle courses" that she could beat every single time. In fact, I was told over and over to "watch me, mom!"

I got to see my oldest quickly switch from playing on her own and making up her own games, to running to play with her one-year-old baby sister and encouraging her to try new play equipment.

And I got to see my husband in the middle of the day.

This was a good day. It wasn't really anything most people would consider "special", but my mind has burned this day on my heart, and I'm so grateful that I was able to witness it.