I haven’t stopped thinking about that merry-go-round. It reminds me of how life is sometimes. There are days when it seems like we are going in the same direction with no variation and it leaves us dizzy and disappointed. Sometimes I feel like I’m poured out and wrung dry with nothing left to give or feel by the end of the day. Other days it seems like we are spinning backwards and are helpless to do anything about it. We don’t really know what’s going on and it just feel likes everything we’ve invested in is coming undone. And then there are those perfectly imperfect days when there’s nothing I’d rather do but enjoy the ride: the wind, the spin, the sun, the people riding next to me, the continuity, the understanding that I don’t have to do anything to keep the ride turning, I just need to be.  Days like today.

Why can’t today last forever? Not because it was perfect – because it wasn’t. It had its share of challenges and exhaustion.  But despite all of that today I was surrounded by loved ones in body and spirit. Today I could soak up time with aged loved ones and glean their wisdom. Today my husband I spent the day together and our babies were in our arms. Today I could snuggle my infant while he slept. Today my daughter fell asleep on the floor by our bed sometime after midnight like she does pretty much every night. Today I didn’t have to bid anyone an eternal farewell. Today I could absorb life with all of my senses. Today I loved and hugged and smiled and laughed and cried. I cried because sometimes I want the merry-go-round to hold still for just a moment longer since I’m not ready for it to stop for good.

How do you savor your perfectly imperfect days? What do you do to make them slow down? What is your favorite animal on a merry-go-round?