Walk, Listen and Learn

Last week, I added walking to my daily workout regime. Okay, truth be told...walking became my daily workout regime since I haven't had one in awhile. There's a nature trail that runs through our neighborhood and it's beautiful right now.

The leaves are changing colors and falling everywhere around while we walk. I'm convinced if I catch a leaf as it's falling that's GOT to mean good luck. No, I haven't caught one yet, but I know I'm at least providing some comedy relief as I run around under the trees dropping the most leaves holding my hands cupped out in front of me. Oh well...it will happen some day. Hopefully.

Yesterday, we took the kids with us. I'll admit we were a little concerned they would get tired, complain, or something else that would make the usually enjoyable walk less enjoyable. We were thankfully proven wrong and had a great time.

So often these days, families are running around, rushing to get the normal 'day-to-day maintenance' of everyday life done (work, laundry, dishes, homework, lunches made, bills paid, play dates, practices) that we don't get a chance to just BE together. You know...no plans, no agendas, just be ourselves, hang out and see what happens next.

Well, we got that opportunity yesterday and learned quite a bit.

What, you ask?

These are the things you learn when you spend time together as a family with only the distraction of falling leaves and the occasional squirrel scurrying up a tree:

The red maple leaves are actually called 'unicorn leaves' due to the way the stem sticks straight up (all according to a 9 year old).

My daughter has a boyfriend (she thinks).

He called her 'hot' (yes...she's only 6).

He told her he loves her (yes...he too is only 6).

Upon him telling her he loved her, she started wrestling him. That's my girl.

If you want D to smile from ear-to-ear, put him on a playground swing. I have pictures of this to prove the point.

He secretly aspires to do the ever-risky 360 (you know...you swing so high you actually go over the bar).

The fact that school playgrounds no longer have swings on them (because of risk of injury? But they do have rock climbing walls...go figure) my son isn't real sure of the mechanics of how to start swinging...and keep going higher. Poor kid! We're working on changing this. :-)

I can get lots of good pictures of my family having a day of fun. Just be-ing together.

Sometimes plans are overrated and just going with the flow is the best thing you can do for your family.

The air smells sweet when you are surrounded by fall leaves and a stream.

There's a precious dog along the walk who will give everyone kisses. Then cry when we leave.

My kids are aching to climb a tree and Shelby calls trees with such potential "lookie-out trees".

Shelby still wants a frog as a pet. And is willing to catch one to make it happen. :::gulp:::


I'm once again reminded of how the 'little things' add up to make the big things in life. Just having time together is vital. No tv's, no computers, no phone conversations, total dedication to spending time together. If we all did more of this, we'd know more about each other. Smile more. Laugh more. Ask more questions. Get more answers. Remember why we are all together in the first place.

Am I getting too Edie Brickell with all this?

Philosophy, is the talk on a cereal box. Religion, is a smile on a dog. I'm not aware of too many things. I know what I know if you know what I mean. Chuck me in the shallow water before I get too deep.

Maybe. But I choose to look at it as being observant and seeing things clearly. And I believe both me and my family will be better because of it. Now and in the long run. And these amazing kids are so worth it. We're making history here. Even just a little walk here and there adds to it. It's what composes their memories of childhood and life.

Always remember and never forget: Don't make excuses. Make things happen. Make changes. Then make history.