The Visitor

When I go on vacation

and first arrive at our
destination, I notice

everything....

each new flower

the different bird songs

each special view

new scents

how the mountains
change with the light

how the sun
and the air
feel on my skin 

the deliciousness

of the local fruits 
and other delights

It's all new and
it's amazing!

By the end of the

holiday, although these

things are still wonderful,

I find that I am no longer

noticing each and

every little thing.....

drinking it all in the

way I did when first

entering this new world.

And it occurred to me

that this is very much

the way it is when we are 

first born and land

here, on Planet Earth.

Children are entranced

by every new object.

Each leaf, bird, flower,

insect, rainbow, raindrop,

snowflake.....

Mommy, look at this

little guy!  my daughter

would squeal when spying

a ladybug or earthworm

or other new delight.  Her

toddler view of the world

meant that we spent a lot

of time studying flowers

and clouds, puddles and

sea shells.

One of the greatest pleasures

of being a new parent,

grandparent, auntie or

uncle or just special friend

to a little one is that for a

time, we, too, get to share

in their wonder ~ and

see it all again, through

their eyes.

To exist in this childlike
 state of curiosity is to live a lot like
 a visitor to a new land.  

The challenge

is to continue seeing

these marvels, each

and every day, even

when we are all grown

up.  Even when our

children or grandchildren

are all grown up....

To never lose it.

To be like that traveler,

disembarking from

the airplane or boat,

train or car on that

first day.....every day.

Because, while the

wonders of the world

do not leave,
often, our ability

to really and truly see

them goes away.

My little family got to

experience this sense of

amazement when we

left home for a short

holiday during spring break.

I so wish that I could

bring this awareness ~

this sharpening of the

senses to the beauty around

us ~ home in my suitcase,

like a tee shirt or snow globe.

I know that it will come

and it will go.  I will step

out into the cold spring

sunshine to get the mail

or walk the dog and a

Phoebe will sing and my

heart will soar.  And for

a moment, I will be that

new visitor, as I relish the

warmth of the sun on my

face and the song of

the bird in my ears, as if

it were the 

very

first

time.

That is the souvenir

from our spring break

that I am sending to you,

today.  Be a visitor in

your own land.  Listen.

See.  Smell.  Feel.  And

truly make it the start of a
 beautiful adventure.

Be happy.

Sending you big hugs,

xx

Suzanne

Posted in family , gratitude , travel