Whenever my child caused me to change my schedule, I thought to myself, "We don't have time for this." Therefore, the two words I most commonly spoke to my child were: "Hurry up". But my promise to 1 was made almost three years ago, and I began my journey to grasp what 2 in life.
My younger daughter is my living reminder of why I must keep trying to slow down.
The two of us had taken a bike ride to the 3. After buying an ice cream for my daughter, she sat down at a table 4 admiring it she held in her hand. Suddenly a look of worry came across her face. "Do I have to rush, Mama?"
I could have 5. Perhaps the pains of a 6 life don't ever completely disappear, I thought sadly. As my child looked up at me waiting to know 7 she could take her time, I knew I had a choice. I could sit there in sorrow thinking about the number of times when I rushed my child through life…or I could 8 the fact that today I'm trying to do things 9. I chose to live in today.
"You don't have to rush," I said 10. Her whole face immediately brightened and her shoulders relaxed. And so we sat side-by-side talking. There were even moments when we sat in 11 just smiling at each other.
When she got to the last bite, she held out a spoonful of ice crystals and sweet juice for me. "I 12 the last bite for you, Mama," my daughter said 13. I realized I just got the deal of a lifetime. I gave my child a little time… and 14, she gave me her last bite and reminded me that things taste sweeter and love comes 15 when you stop rushing through life.
