to savor…

He knew right where to find the scissors... middle console. Because you know you always need a pair in the car. He sliced the top of the first package open, leaving the other four in his lap, put the scissors back in the middle console, and then finally, peeked into the shiny packet. It's the Explorer! Piece by piece, he clicked the lego mini-figure together until that explorer was peering at us through a magnifying glass as large as his head. With a smile, Cam set him on the dashboard. I expected him to tear into the next shiny package, but instead he sat with the checklist that had accompanied the little pieces and he picked his favorites. He reached into the middle console for the scissors again... and then replaced them before reaching in and making the next discovery. Sombrereo Man! We laughed as he assembled him... me, with eyes flickering between watching the road and his nimble fingers. Sombrero Man joined Explorer on the dash and Cam opened the middle console once again. This time he decided to keep the scissors out... but the process went on and on for miles...


I loved the way he savored the experience... giving each treasure its due. In my amazement, I wondered how I would have experienced it, and knew, that in my ever-present multi-tasking mode, I would have stacked all five packages together and made one quick slice with the scissors. I probably wouldn't have dumped all the pieces, but I surely would have peeked into each package, one by one, freeing the mystery. And all of the expectation of hope.

How often do I rush through to the end... and miss the joy in the process?

Always. Go, go, go. I am very efficient.

But maybe the time has come... to slow down and savor the ordinary. I am good at savoring the special moments, even making little moments special. I am better at savoring dessert. And I am getting better at savoring the everyday. Maybe efficiency isn't all I thought it was. Maybe cutting off 5 minutes of time leaves me weary instead of joyful, even if there is a smug sense of satisfaction that comes with it.

Smug or joy? No contest. Joy wins... even just the thought of it. Savoring begins... now.

And as I savor, I also begin to count...

#1-7 of One Thousand Gifts.

-He makes the most out of everything... savoring and drawing joy.  And his fourteen-year-old heart shines and shares... and I am in awe of it.
-Chatting with my girl all the way to to barn... unlike most Saturdays when we ride just listen to the radio.
-One-two-three-four of the most gorgeous days, all in a row.
-Sun and moon in one glance.
-His arms around me, his breath on my neck... whispering good bye and have a good day and I love you.
-Really singing to God, instead of just following the notes on a page.
-Finding the perfect gift for a friend, and the hurry up and get here feeling in my soul, waiting for her birthday.