“Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”—Dr. Suess
I saw the above quote this morning, coincidentally, as “memory” on a friend’s Facebook page. It fits quite well with the thought with which I started the morning.
I had the opportunity, yesterday, to spend some extra time with my kids. It started with picking my daughter up at the bus and taking her along to pick up a freshly strung goalie head for her brother at Bigfoot Lacrosse (an uncompensated plug for a great local business). On the way home, we grabbed a couple pops (or “sodas”, if one prefers). It was nothing out of the ordinary, just (extra)ordinary time spent with my sweet little girl. Later, after my son got home from middle school and I had squeezed in some exercise, we went for pizza—something we usually only do when my wife is travelling, as she currently is. The kids got along unusually well, as brothers and sisters sometimes do. We chatted and just enjoyed time together. When we got home, my son and I spent time in the cul-de-sac breaking in his goalie heads (one brand new and one newly restrung). We talked and passed the lacrosse ball. I noted to myself how much he has grown and matured. He is also growing in his passion for sport and developing a work ethic. It reassured me that he is on a path to success. It also gave me the simple pleasure of spending a few quality moments making memories with my growing son. After catch, I spent the rest of the evening with my little girl cuddling next to me on the sofa watching A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix. I could not have asked for a better Friday night (other than to have my wife home with us). It was as if time had slowed to allow us this quality time together. Ordinarily, it seems we are always rushing to and fro with very little time. Friday night was special. It was a carpe momento kind of night.
There is so much truth the Dr. Suess’ statement that “sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Life is this way. We never quite know for sure that there will ever be another moment like this one. Therefore, we must indeed seize the moment. Time passes quickly. Children grow and move on. People pass through our lives ever so quickly. There is no time to wait to make memories. As my friend shared in the “memory” from three years ago (see how time passes so quickly?), “We are making memories!” We are indeed. So, let us seize the opportunity and make some great ones!
Carpe momento!