Don't Wait Till It's Perfect

by Michele Boy | May 16, 2024

Here we are, the last week of school. Just like every year, some graduated preschool, Kindergarten, eighth grade promotion, high School, college and more, 
As we wrap up field trips, play days, awards assemblies, and prepare for summer, we won't have this moment again, whatever that moment is for you.
My daughter is completing elementary school. Her summer will look different. I am drinking in these moments.
Last weekend, my daughter and I loaded up our vehicle, drove out to the country with our dogs, chairs, telescope, camera, and snacks. We drove 23 miles to watch the northern lights with my husband who was still in the field planting corn. 
The sky had been cloudy in the afternoon but we were told it would clear off later. 
We drove knowing we might not see anything. So whatever we saw would be a bonus.
What you see in pictures, we couldn’t see with our naked eye. But we did see waves and bands of brighter green, some purple, stars, and the moon. 
We were a little chilly and my husband got frustrated that we couldn’t put our phones down to just enjoy it. 
I kept trying to take photos with my camera. When I finally got somewhere, I was tired and frustrated. 
I was yelling at my daughter to stop feeding cheese to the dogs. 
I snapped a number of decent pics with my cellphone. I got a blurry pic of my husband and daughter but it is one I will keep forever. 
It was us as a family carving out time together. 
A good friend said to me, "Be careful you don't get so busy making a living, you forget to make a life." 
After a while, we loaded our gear and dogs back in the vehicle and drove home. I got to bed at midnight. 
While I was a little gripey and tired, it is a memory we will have built together. 
The next morning I woke up later, got less done but received a good hug from my “doesn’t hug as much because we are growing up” child. I smiled and embraced the moment. 
As she is heading into junior high school and sports, I will not get as much time with her but I hope to have more quality time when I do. 
Whatever stage of life you are in, I hope you can find something positive to focus on. 
Some moments are bittersweet like watching the senior video at graduation and thinking how quickly time passes. When the seniors brought flowers to their loved ones, coaches, friends, I teared up. Seeing moms cry, proud fathers beam, and grandparents smiling at their loved one's accomplishments, made me swell with pride for them.
Don’t wait till it’s perfect to enjoy the moments! And don’t let a few rocky moments destroy the memory.