I’ve written previously about how great it is to be a grandparent. I am making every effort to soak it all in and stay focused and present whenever we are around them. The older they get, the busier they have become. They have parties, field trips, practice, lessons, playdates, and other activities that take up their time. I know their schedules are only going to get busier.
I’ve learned from these kids that each event, task, or project has the potential to make it the “best day ever.” I’m sure their criteria for the best day ever will change as they age, but right now, it doesn’t take much to make it a great day.
Recently, Charlotte and Jameson had a whole series of consecutive best days ever. With Jameson out of school for summer break and Charlotte home full-time after her daycare closed, they are always looking for new things to do. One day, they pulled out the Easy Bake Oven Charlotte received for Christmas. They donned their aprons and got to work, baking a strawberry (flavored) cake. When I asked them if they had fun, they told me it was the “best day ever.”
They enjoyed their first day of swim lessons. Each one felt confident and brave. They didn’t want the lesson to end and declared it the “best day ever.”
Later that same week, we attended Turlock’s 4th of July Parade right after the kids finished that day’s swim lesson. It was sweltering, and they were exhausted but excited to see their Uncle Jimmy and Cousin Matt driving their tractors in the parade. (This is always the highlight of every local parade.) They patiently waited and watched until they spotted them. Then they jumped up and down with glee, waving their hands and flags. On the way home, they talked about the parade and stated that this was, indeed, the “best day ever.”
Experiencing these days with the kids has taught me a valuable lesson. It doesn’t take much to make it the best day ever. It’s not the event that matters; it’s the attitude that makes the difference. Each day has the potential to be the best day ever when we live in the moment. We will find it by examining our schedules and planned activities with a positive attitude and looking for joy. The clock resets each night, and we get the chance to do it again the next day.
So, what will it take for you to experience the “best day ever?”