Memories

(Dedication--today's philosophical feeling and rambling reminiscences were inspired by: my younger son Riley.)

As we journey down our life's path, we encounter certain events along the way that we instantly recognize as Memories of a Lifetime. These classic milestones tend to be recalled with fondness ("remember Mardi Gras, '96?"), retold with gusto ("we stayed up all night playing pool!"), and embellished with abandon ("we must've had 100 strings of beads when we went home!"). We commemorate them with t-shirts from Disney World, photos of snorkeling with stingrays, and stories of shared connections ("we survived the Death-Defying Cab Ride in New York City! mmm, good times...") They become a part of our Personal History, and our Family Lore as well.

Kids, experiencing many things for the first time in their lives, embrace the world with a beautiful sense of wonder and joy. They're awesome at appreciating the Big Stuff.  BUT...they also notice and enjoy Little Things, in ways that we busy, stressed, distracted adults have forgotten how to--or don't make time to--do for ourselves. I think Grownups tend to get caught up in our everyday existence--school, work, sports practice, schedules, homework, to-do lists, errands, blah, blah, blah--because let's face it, if we stop to examine the very oozy and fascinating slug on the front porch, we might miss the school bus, and then we'll have to drive you, and be late for our job and...oops! There went another chance to stop the Runaway Parent Train and just act like a child again for a minute.

So (the point! I know you've been waiting for it, paddling patiently in my Stream of Consciousness) Riley, Derek, and Royce went to an Orioles game on Sunday. It was an absolutely gorgeous, sunny, warm day. The O's actually won, for a change. To top things off, the special Dugout Club kids' giveaway was a plastic batting helmet, which Riley liked so much he continued to wear until bedtime. In fact, it was such a Banner Day for him that when he got home, he solemnly informed Royce, "I'm going to keep this FOREVER...to remind me of my childhood." (Note: Riley is SEVEN...going on 17, at times.) A silly, cheap souvenir? Or a cherished token of one perfect day at a ballgame, male-bonding with your Dad and brother? In the eyes of my wise young man, it makes the Important Memory List. Little things, indeed.