A little perspective

I had a post planned for my return. I knew what I wanted to say. It would have brushed on the difficulties I faced yesterday in my attempt to unplug. It would have talked about when it rains it pours. It would have included complaints about trivial things like these:

My car essentially blew up, requiring an absorbent amount of time on the phone with the dealership, a mechanic and a tow truck company. I had to get online to retrieve a phone number from a contact list for a co-worker. My husband had to have directions that had been emailed to me. The New Kids on the Block cruise tickets went on sale promptly at 9 (and then proceeded to sell out w/in hours). Really, of all the days to unplug.

But truth be told, I only got on the computer twice, for a total of 5 minutes (once for the phone number and once for the directions). I did not check my email, touch a blog or log onto Facebook. The TV stayed dark all day. I would say we were successful.

So in a nutshell that is what my post would have said. It would have had a higher word count and probably would have flowed a little smoother, but then I returned to the blogging world this morning and my heart sank. Our friends had lost a child. A beautiful, bubbly, hazel-eyed little girl, ripped from her family much too soon. They had less than 20 months to love her, cuddle her, share her with the world. I re-read their blog over and over, hoping that I had misunderstood. That, in re-reading it, I might miraculously find the words that would bring comfort. My heart ached for them. For their loss. For their helplessness. For the pain that could not be erased.

No, my original post will not do. Sure, I feel strongly that Unplugged 2009 worked. It forced me to get on my hands and knees and build towers with my children. It replaced hours mesmerized by a screen, with hours spent cuddled together on the couch reading book after book after book. It was great for all of those reasons; so great in fact that we will be implementing it once a week. But today, in light of recent events, I cannot help but wonder why it would take a scheduled day for me to partake in the above listed activities.

I take my children for granted every day. I forget to stop and listen to them, or ignore them all together while fixated with so and so's latest post. I know that makes me normal and not a horrible mother, and that my children are loved and taken care of. But, it makes me pause. Yesterday, distraction free, I actually heard them. When they yanked on my arm, eager to share their latest masterpiece, I had nothing pulling me in the other direction, so I followed. And I was reminded that my children are creative and funny. They have imaginations that, when set free, amaze me. We laughed, a lot. And it was a good day.

And I am grateful, endlessly grateful for them.

I hope that today, because there are those out there who do not have this luxury, you will take your kids, your spouses, your loved ones and hug them a little closer. That you too will pause, perhaps shut the TV off for a few minutes, and provide them your undivided attention. I don't mean to sound preachy or cheesy, but if tomorrow brings chaos and frustrations, if those little ones drive us to the brink; the truth is we have been blessed with another day.

Cherish it.