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January 29, 2013

What Maile's Teaching Me


Do you consider yourself to have a Type A personality? I always have. My family always has. My friends always have. It's never been a secret.

Taking on two too many responsibilities. Rushing around my college campus with my head down, hardly looking up to say hello to even a fellow sorority sister, close friends, because I overloaded on classes and worked multiple jobs. Crossing things off my to-do list. (I once lost my student planner on campus, and interrupted my favorite professor's class -- and the man did not. allow. interruptions. -- to retrieve it. It was, as I said very dramatically, I'm sure, "my life!")

In many ways, I thrived in these circumstances. Managing my time was a challenge. One that I actually enjoyed. The best days were the ones I was in my room and closed my computer before midnight, thinking to myself, "Yes. For today I'm done." The tasks on my to-do list neatly crossed through.

It wasn't easy, though, and I don't think I can honestly say that it was good for me. I accomplished a lot, but I'm sure I also missed out on a lot. 

What really brings this home for me is Maile. Her birth brought me down a level. At this age (of nearly 21 months), she takes everything in. Positive, negative, ugly, beautiful, she is a sponge. A fighter jet overhead isn't just doing yet another irritating touch-and-go exercise; it's an "eh-pane!" going "vrooooooo." (There are wiggles involved with this noise. Adorable wiggles.) Walking around the pretty town center nearby, she stops to dance and twirl to the music enveloping us. Every detail captures her attention. A small alcove where she can hear her own echo. Sparrows snatching bits of bagel from brunchers. The steps leading up to her favorite place, "Books? ::gasp:: Booooooks!" (That would be Barnes and Noble.) 

Maile reminds me to stand back. To stand still even, and appreciate every single thing this life has to offer. Maybe there's a pile of mail a foot high sitting on the counter at home. Maybe I was supposed to go three more places this afternoon. Maybe the sheets need washing because there's part of a chocolate doughnut smushed into the sheets where Maile sleeps, because she refused to let go of it for her nap. 

But I'm going to try not to rush, not to stress. I'll take one thing at a time. I'll say, "That can wait." and dance and spin and twirl like no one's watching, hop up the bookstore steps with Maile, and be excited about life. How blessed Tim and I are to have our girl in our lives to remind us to live.

33 comments:

  1. Awww. Boy does this hit close to the heart today. Love you all!

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  2. beautiful post, friend. and SO true.
    isn't the simple joy of a toddler just wonderful?
    they really know how to live life to the fullest and enjoy even the small things. <3

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    1. Thanks, my darling friend.

      Even though toddlerhood absolutely comes with its challenges, I love it. Maile is so interesting, and interested in everything! It's fun.

      xoxo

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  3. Amazing - thank you for this post, it has come at the exact right time for me! Much love xox

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    1. Thank you for sharing that with me, Audrey! I'm happy that this post spoke to you ... I love it when that happens.

      <3

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  4. I am consistently being taught this lesson again and again by Jayden. Some of my best days (and his) are when I submit myself and schedule to the moment by moment of what life brings. Maile sounds like such a fun little playmate :)

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    1. What a wonderful way of putting it, Shannon: "... schedule to the moment." That's a really beautiful picture.

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  5. Your daughter is beautiful :) Children teach us so much about life. My boy also teaches me to enjoy life more and to be more patient. ♥

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    1. Thank you so much, Marie! Our babes are absolutely our little teachers, aren't they? Patience is something I struggle with on a daily basis; Maile is definitely the best instructor for that particular trait. xoxo

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  6. Iove that our kids can teach us so much!!

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    1. They can, can't they? So Christlike in that way ... we only have to be willing to listen and learn, am I right?

      Thanks for following! I hope we will get to know each other. :)

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  7. kids certainly do bring a whole new perspective to life, and a great one at that. slowing down and taking life in is a great lesson to learn. so much more fun that way!

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    1. I couldn't agree more, Leah! So often we get caught up in "keeping up" that we forget to take time and smell the roses, so to speak. And isn't that part of what life is about?

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it, Leah! And that you feel the same way. :)

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  9. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a little love, Regine!

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  10. Love this post too - brought back memories of my super organized college self...I'm still in there somewhere!! :)

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    1. Haha! I keep telling myself the same thing, Martha!

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  11. That is exactly why children are an amazing gift! They teach us more than we teach them I think. They see only the good when as adults, its hard to see anything but that bad! Loved this post :)

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    1. I love the way you said that, Deidre -- so very true! And thank you for your sweet compliment. :)

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  12. I love this post! This is totally me...I'm still a bit of a go-getter, but I sure get a lot less done, ha! And I like that I'm taking things more slowly. I have changed so very much since becoming a mom. Sometimes I'm amazed at the changes if I sit back and really think about it. Thanks for the reminder Katie!

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    1. Yes, reading this comment sounds like something I would say too, Meagan! I do think there were a few months where I almost gave up on trying to ever get anything done -- haha -- but I'm back to at least trying!

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  13. Exactly!! It is SO hard some days. I am just like you! A planner...and kids, well they're great at smashing plans but their smiles, giggles, wiggles, and sweet kisses make up for all of it!

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  14. I wish I was a type A...I am more like a type z. And my boys are doing a pretty dang good job of reminding me there are important things to get done..ha ha Kids have their way of teaching..you know?!

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    1. Type Z ... LOL! As you say, kids have a way of teaching us. Sometimes I think we're kidding ourselves when we think we're here to teach them.

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  15. How sweet. I love that about kiddos- they totally teach us to slow down and experience things as if it's the first time all over again. So thankful for one of my best friend's little ones who remind me of this often!!

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    1. It really is such an important lesson -- and a beautiful one, too! Children have a wonderful way of reminding us to enjoy God's creation, not just scurry through it.

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