Missed Opportunities
My granddaughter was about to leave for school and as we had one last hug, I thanked her for sharing her room with me and for the fun time we had over the Easter holiday.
“We did lots of new things,” she said pressing her head into my shoulder.
“Yes—we baked Italian Easter bread together.”
And then she began a list. “We went to Longwood Gardens, church for Good Friday and washed each other’s feet. You rode a go kart and shot a cannon.” We laughed at the last two. I gave her a kiss and a tight squeeze and off she walked to the bus stop.
Those five days together were filled with opportunities.
I could have baked the Easter bread alone while she and her brothers played. I wouldn’t have had to retrieve a speck of eggshell from the mixing bowl or clean up a spray of flour from the counter, but young hands touched mine and we made a memory.
I could have said no to a visit to Longwood Gardens and chosen to sit on the deck back home, but I would have missed the spectacular colors and varieties of flowers-and a lesson in the never-ending variety of God’s creation.
And I could have stayed in my comfort zone and not heard the applause and cheers from adults and four grandchildren when I came down the street in a go kart. Yes, for the first time in my life I drove a go-kart.
I traded messes for moments and memories.
And standing in awe of God’s breathtaking creations never gets old.I stepped out to a lesson showing even a grandmother learns new things.
Missed opportunities are never regained. What about you? What’s standing before you today? Will you welcome the mess, get out of your comfort zone, and stand in awe of what God does? Share with us. We’d love to hear.
The Conversation
I love this on so many levels Ms. Marilyn. What a wonderful lesson you taught us; and what wonderful memories you made with your granddaughter and family. It’s what we do in life that make the difference; not what we could have or should have. What a great life lesson here. God’s blessings ma’am.
Yes–your added comment fits beautifully. Longwood Gardens was the perfect way to stop and smell all the roses:) Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Sweet, sweet, sweet. Thanks for the reminder not to be lazy in the relationships that matter the most..
Thank you Lori!
Such an important message for parents and of course us grandparents. I’m not sure we realize the value of those precious moments until we get a little older. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I agree Sandy. Our hindsight is often perfect. Thanks for your comment.
As a new grandmother, I delighted in your message. Loved your phrase about trading “messes and moments for memories”. Thanks for brightening my day!
A new grandmother! You are in for spectacular moments. I’ve had fourteen plus years and it gets better and different. Thanks for sharing how this post brightened your day.
Saying yes to special moments with loved ones blesses us and blesses them. 🙂
Oh yes, Melissa!
We only have so many “moments” to make “memories” and we really need to not worry about the “messes” we make along the way! This certainly made me think. Great story!
Trading messes for memories. What a wonderful sentiment. As a secret introvert, my default answer is usually, “no.” But I so often find I’m grateful for the memories and friendships I’ve forged once I push through that no. Thanks for sharing this.