Any mention of going outside or going to the park yields a single word exclamatory response from my one year old.
“Bubbles!”
Often it’s just a mention of the park and we are actually not going out. But she’s got a one track mind and her focus on bubbles does not waver as I try to change the subject or explain to her – “later, not now” or “when we get to the park, then we can do bubbles.” She won’t let up until we start heading out the door or something truly interesting captures her attention.
Despite the nagging ☺, going out and blowing bubbles for my daughter is precious time together. As I watched my daughter during bubble time today, I smiled in wonder and awe of her natural ability to be present.
I realized – you can’t not be present around bubbles.
Those little orbs are only around for a brief moment. Its iridescent beauty lives for a couple of seconds before it floats away or more likely is popped by little fingers trying to capture it. And you can’t lament its end.
That is the bubble’s purpose.
To provide that momentary joy. To induce squeals and the pitter patter of little feet chasing it.
No tears or sadness are had when a bubble’s life is ended because my daughter knows that there is more where it came from. More joy, more beauty, more fun. And she insists on it as she requests“More? More?” without a second thought of the bubble that just came and went.
Mommy may not be able to re-create that 5 inch beauty ever again but that is okay with her.
There is just as much joy in the new bubbles as the old, no matter the size or how far it floats.
Presence is here all the time but it alludes me. I get wrapped up in thoughts of work, projects, chores, and other daily life stressors that pull me away from living in the now. I know I stand to be more present and make an almost daily pledge to meditate more. Until then, I have bubble time.
originally written: November 1, 2015
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