Yesterday's Highlights

Last night while lying in bed I thought back on the day. Usually I lie in bed worrying about what I didn't accomplish, things I didn't check off my to-do list, or worrying about how I'll manage tomorrow's to-do list. Yesterday was a little different, I thought about the highlights of the day, hoping to inspire good dreams and restful sleep.

These happy thoughts were inspired by a trip to Paris - not MY trip to Paris- someone else's trip to Paris. Reading Not Martha's posts about her trip to Paris is lovely. I've never thought myself to be a Francophile, really I've always yearned for a trip to Italy and Greece instead. The art, the food, the beautiful people who give you the art and food, the beautiful country - Italy and Greece just sounds so relaxing and fulfilling. While I've always seen Paris as an overpriced tourist mecca with genteel locals whose noses are so high in the air they drown in the rain. But now my life may not be complete without seeing The Winged Victory of Smotharace (I could make it a field trip for my Humanities class, this is the time period I'm studying), I hear that it is a heroic presence over the Louvre stairway:

 

 So I've been converted to Paris, although I'm not trading Italy and Greece for it, now I want to visit all three. Oh, and England. Going back to Hawaii would be nice too.  

I went to bed thinking happy Paris thoughts, chocolate, pastries, gorgeous designer diggs, Invaders, rustic ancient architecture, all the loveliness that was enjoyed. If I can't be there to enjoy it at least I can live vicariously. 

Lying there in the dark the next highlight I reflected on were my recollections of spring and summer. Baby and I bought seed packets and a starter kit yesterday. Roma tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, sunshine cosmos, cauliflower, carrots, impatiens, peas, zinnias, sunflowers. Holding each packet I remembered past harvests, summer days walking through the wet grass barefoot, and the perfect taste of a homegrown tomato. I can hold out a few more weeks until the warmth comes to stay, knowing that a bright warm summer is in my future. 

 

The last highlight I held close before I drifted off to sleep were the moments with my children. It's too easy to remember the difficulties in raising children but there are many great moments that go unappreciated. Yesterday as Baby and I drove away from the store she said, "No go home."

"Yes, I'm sorry to say we're going home."

"Oh, man!" It was right out of Dora the Explorer, and I giggled at her reference. 

 

Last night I made salmon for dinner, which most of the family is warming up to as I make it more often. (I haven't cooked seafood much so I'm trying new recipes, last night it was poached salmon with dill sauce.) As we sat down to eat I worried that there would be whining, it was so nice to hear happy A. say, "Mom, thanks for dinner, this is so good!" Music to my ears, lovely!

Reflecting on the highlights of the day was helpful, I had a great night's sleep - especially because DH made the seminary run for me this morning. I don't remember any lovely dreams though, I really wanted some. I'll just try again tonight, recalling today's highlights. 

Comments

[chococatania]

1.

This is a great post - with a great reminder...A lot of the time, I just wallow in the self-pity that I create because I haven't done everything. And, even if I have done everything I meant to do, I usually find a way to feel bad - that I didn't do everything well enough.

It is so important to be grateful, count our blessings, and just enjoy life.

Thanks for the beautiful reminder. (btw, I'm with you - on all of your travel locations!)