The Little Things

Today I was reminded of the importance of the little things in life.  When I went to pick up Logan at school a leaf had blown onto the windshield of my car.  Logan pointed to the leaf and loudly exclaimed, "Mom! Look!  That is a gold leaf on the windshield!"  He tried to grab it but couldn't reach it.  I grabbed the leaf, which was stuck under the wiper and seemed to wave at us each time the wind blew.  I placed it in Logan's little hand and his smile grew as he held it tightly.  "Isn't it pretty, mom?" We got in the car and I buckled his seat belt and we headed home.  As I drove Logan suddenly announced, "Look, Mom! There are more golden leaves in that tree!  And that tree, too!"

When I was a little girl I loved fall.  I loved Halloween and all the fun and sugar-induced comas the entire month of October brought. My mother always decorated the house for Halloween and as we got older we had a blast helping with the decorations. The candy and sugar lasted well into November as well, which was followed by Thanksgiving and then the fun and memories we made each year in December as we impatiently waited for Christmas to come. I remember my mother had old Christmas records--my parents had an old stereo that looked like a buffet and it played vinyls. I remember sitting on the couch, watching the Christmas lights shine and twinkle, and listening to the music--I loved it.  It seemed so magical.  I remember my brother and me laying under the Christmas tree and looking up and watching the lights.  As I got older I forgot about all these little things that I once loved this time of year.

The leaves changing colors and the temperatures getting cooler during fall were also things I loved as a child.  I remember sitting in the backseat as my parents drove us to whatever destination we were headed to and looking out the window at the red, yellow, and orange leaves.  I also thought they were so beautiful--they are beautiful for a while and then they are gone.  One of my favorite books to read to my boys this time of year is Fletcher and the Falling Leaves.  It is about a little fox named Fletcher who loves a tree outside of his family's den.  One day he notices the leaves are all coming off the tree and he tells his mother he thinks his tree is sick.  It is such a cute story as Fletcher tries to put the leaves back on the tree and talks to it, telling it everything will be okay.  He notices the trees beautiful leaves and is saddened when he watches the tree's last leaf float away in the breeze.

Logan reminds me a lot of Fletcher. Today he reminded me to take time and notice the pretty leaves that are changing colors all around us.  It's funny how as we get older we don't seem to notice the things we once loved.  Instead of sitting in the backseat, my head filled with dreams and stories, and noticing the beauty around me I am now an adult driving and trying to get to a destination on time. My schedule has become full and my priorities have taken over and I have forgotten to stop and notice the little things I once loved--and still love but have taken for granted.  In the wink of an eye fall is over and I would have missed it--I'm thankful for my sweet 4-year-old boy who made me stop and remember the wonderful little things--even something as simple as a gold leaf!