As I jump in the lake, I hear thunder. I look over towards the mountains and I see the grey clouds heading my way and the way they mist the trees under them with the falling rain. And I feel the first rain drops.

I don’t care. I’m in. I stay in the water until just just JUST before the downpour. I climb up the rocks and run inside. All excited. So proud of my timing.

I could have waited 15 minutes. The storm passed… But then I would have missed that feeling of mad rush, get it now!
How familiar is that for me?

Very.

Sometimes, it’s what I need. Do it in the moment. Other times, a little letting go, a little patience would be beneficial.

Just this morning I was visiting the wonderful nearby Science Center. The name doesn’t promise how much it offers – it’s an outdoor nature center where the animals you see: the coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, otters…

– are rescued from the wild and the visitors, mostly children, walk along the paths that teaches them about the animals in fun ways, as they witness them. I was with Artemis, now 4, and Hunter. He was so curious about each animal and all the fun puzzles and educational tools that our visit, expected to last 1 easily stretched into 2. He was grabbing the moment.

Hunter was with him, patiently allowing him all the time he needed to soak up this experience.

Afterwards, I was realizing: this week with him and Hunter and Lynn, plus the 3 days before with Samsun and Amanda and friends, plus the upcoming time with Ariella and Ramzi: these are my happiest times of the year.

Time that I will feel as far too short.

Time to soak up, linger, savor.

Times of joy.