Yesterday was one of those days.
They are the days that I have a bit of regret, but that is balanced with a huge whollop of fantastic.
It was sunny. And warm-ish. And, oh my goodness - was it WINDY!
So, on my way to my parents from work (where the boy and the older half of my nephews spend their Wednesday afternoons together), I stopped and bought every one a kite!
My parents have a giant side yard, nice and flat, and lots of room to spread out, and with two 4-year-olds, a 13-year old, me, and my parents, we took to the SKY! Well, our kites did at least.
This day was packed with so much awesome!!! We ate tasty dinner, supplied by Mom, then took off for the yard to soak up the wind and sun, and send our kites into flight! I was so much fun watching my parents run around, showing all us kids (*grin*) how to properly fly a kite.
I was immediately reminded of my own childhood - my grandparents running around with us, like we were the greatest things that had ever been created, and they just couldn't wait to share everything that life had to offer, and give it to us like the precious gem it really is.
So, why the regret??
This beautiful moment. On a beautiful day. With my beautiful family. Three generations of us, running around the yard. Sunshine pouring down. Colorful kites on strings. Taking the moments to stop and let the wind grab that fabric, and send it higher and higher. The tug of the string. The gasp when the gust settles, and your kite crashes to the ground. The excitement of your "Longest Ride Yet!" The anticipation of the next lift-off.
And I don't have one single picture of it!
But, you know what? I'm so completely okay with it. I know, from experience, that one day, while these boys are playing with their kids, they will get that sudden flashback to this day. I know that my participation in all the fun, and soaking up a warm spring day was what mattered.
Photographic evidence is always wonderful. But, the glorious memory that was shared is pure gold.
Sometimes, I need to remind myself to put down the camera, and enjoy my life. I need to remember to get involved with my kid(s), and not stand on the side taking snapshots that will spend eternity trapped on some server somewhere, or printed and placed in a box in someone's basement.
There's plenty of time to capture moments on film. But there is only so much time to ENJOY these moments.
