Life that is. So goes a line in Sarah Kaye’s poem “If I should have a daughter.” 

I heard Sarah interviewed this morning by Krista Tippett during the radio show On Being. The show ended with a snippet of that poem, and it brought tears to my eyes (sappy as I am).

“I want her to know that this world is made of sugar. It can crumble so easily, but don’t be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it.”

YES.

After our rain play!

It made me think about the small, everyday moments with our children (whether daughter or son) and the power we have to shape those simple moments. Just stop and notice them. Absorb them.

Last night, for example, the skies turned dark purple in the Twin Cities. For a while, the wind flirted with blowing in rain. Then finally, an absolute downpour drenched the sidewalks and grass until little streams formed alongside our block’s curb. I’m one of those crazies who LOVES playing in the rain. And it had been entirely too long since I’d done that. So I held onto my 4 year old’s sweet, small hand, and invited him to run outside with me.

“With all our clothes on! And no raincoat!” I told him as he giggled, wide-eyed with surprise.

So we stomped barefoot in puddles, ran up and down the sidewalk wet palm clasped to wet palm, and ran circles in slippery grass, our hair dripping rain water into our eyes.

It was one of my finer mom moments, I later thought. I pushed back his usual bedtime and decided to not stress about it. Playing in the rain was more important. It was one of those true “stick your tongue out and taste” life kind of moments. And that’s the kind of lesson I want to teach my kids.

What about you? What are the enjoy-the-present kind of moments you want to teach your kids? Think about it and let us know! Maybe a revelation will come to you next time you’re on your mat.

In the meantime, if you’d like to hear Sarah Kaye’s entire poem (which earned her a standing ovation during her TED talk), check it out below.

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma