Daughter Donut Date

You never know when they are going to happen:  those days when everything seems to go right.  When the stars must be aligned, and you are blessed with all things good and beautiful.

This was one of those days.

It began with waking up to chirping birds, warm-ish temperatures and clear blue skies. 

On this particular day, Lucy woke up and came into my room, and I suggested heading to 'Conk Park' (more on that in a moment) for a daughter donut date. 

If only we could all be so easily pleased.  The screams of excitement were palpable. 

Lucy and I discovered this park last year and we immediately fell in love with it. One of its many appealing features is all the hugely established black walnut trees. When we were last there, it was windy and these beautiful trees were dropping their nuts in an almost rhythmic and predictable way.  We decided to call it "Conk" Park because we figured it was only a matter of time before one of these big black walnuts fell and "conked" us on the head.  Hence,"Conk Park" was born.

There is just something to be said about those first days of spring, when things are just starting to bud, the air smells so fresh, and you feel that deep thaw down to your bones.  You soak in all the details of the sun and flowers and chirping birds.

And you watch your daughter, frolicking....

And playing peek-a-boo with the birds....

 
And you realize how blessed you are.

 
When Lucy was just a baby, a friend gave me a tiny little bud vase.  She said that it was for the times when Lucy would come in from playing outside, and give me that delicately picked bouquet of dandelions.

At the time, I didn't realize just how right--- and thoughtful--- my friend was in giving me this gift. 

What I know now is that  this vase has been used more times than I can count.

I guess little girls are just naturally drawn to picking flowers for their mamas.

 

Priceless.

I recognize that these seamless days are rare and fleeting. 

And not to be taken for granted.

On this day, I didn't take it for granted.   I soaked it all in.

There is something about the unplanned and simple things. 

I realize this all sounds a bit sentimental.

I cannot lie in saying that the quickly-approaching, inevitable days of full time school is not far from my daily thoughts.  In fact, it weighs on my mind often.

It is probably because of this that I am cherishing these simple moments just a bit more right now.

And I wonder, did I take these moments for granted too much when she was younger?

I sure do love this girl.

I look at these pictures and realize how grown up she is.

The memories from this day,  of hunting down woodpeckers.....

And riding bikes......

And picking more flowers.....

with her tiny fingers......

to put in a tiny bud vase......

will never be forgotten.

And always be cherished.

Thank you God, for these days of unforgettable perfection.