My family had sunk to an all time low. Each of us sitting around my house, typing away on our personal laptops, some even in the same room, none of us interacting with each other. My 15 year-old was on a school vacation, the other two just hanging out, and I could feel us turning to mush as time ticked on. It was time for an intervention. We needed to go somewhere together, do something different, shake it up, get off the freakin’ computers, and do it now!
I went online (yeah, back on my computer, but only for a few moments) to look for places to hike in Fairfield County, CT. Turns out there is a river gorge about ten minutes drive from my house, and with a bit of coercion, I got all three kids up and out of the house. Piling into the car with my Flip video camera, my youngest began filming the excursion from the back seat. We laughed easily at the silly antics and sit com-like atmosphere that transpires when my crazy kids and I get together. This was us at our best, and I was loving every moment.
We were having so much fun that I drove right past the entrance to the park. The kids and I were so busy laughing and ogling the the magnificent stately mansions edging the river, that we didn’t see the small one way sign directing us to the park. A quick u-turn, and we were ready to embark on our new hiking adventure.
My kids usually break out in hives when I utter the word ‘hiking’. “We hate hiking”, is the mantra I have grown accustomed to hearing. So, the fact that they readily hit the ground running was shocking. I was curious to see how long it would take for someone to complain about something and ask me to head back home. After all, it was about 30 degrees outside, the ground was covered in snow, and most of the kids were not dressed in appropriate hiking attire. No gloves, a polar fleece jacket instead of a down coat, sneakers instead of boots. But they were game, and I was excited to watch the day unfold.
My 18 year-old son was immediately transformed into his adventurous three-year-old self, jumping from rock to rock, teetering by the edge of the river. I had to resist going after him and pulling him to safety. He was so happy, so connected to nature, and kept repeating, “Mom, I love it here. I need to do this more often.” “This is good”, I said to myself. I did a good thing.
My 15 year-old was busy with the Flip video, documenting the outing, and admiring the roaring waterfalls, the rushing river, and the jagged rock formations. She laughed easily, and it was good to see her in the fresh air, enjoying nature, her body erect instead of slumped over the computer.
My 21 year-old joked easily with the other two. She, too, enjoyed frolicking in the woods, lightening up and easing the tension of her week. The brisk cold air was connecting the four of us, and wasn’t that the whole point of this trip? I silently patted myself on the back, for listening to my intuition about getting out of the house and outdoors, breathing in the wonder and beauty of this winter wonderland.
As we headed back to the car, I didn’t want this journey to end. “We are going to our favorite playground”, I announced to my children’s surprise. “We haven’t been there in like 8 years”, they said. “We’re too old for a playground!” “You are never too old for a playground!” I insisted, as we drove up to Chestnut Hill park, the only people crazy enough to be there on this cold winter day.
Sliding down the slides, climbing the monkey bars, spinning on the whirl-a-gig, swinging on the swings, and bouncing on the see-saws, our inner children were delighted to come out and play. I find it so cathartic to reconnect to my playful self. I release so much tension. There is a sense of freedom and joy, and I am reminded about the importance of letting go of the small stuff.
Too good to be true? Soon enough, the whining and bickering began, and it was time to head home. But not so fast. We needed to do one last thing to make the day complete: Dairy Queen! What brings you back to being a child better than a delicious ice cream cone? How fun would that be?
Turns out that it wasn’t so fun after all. On the ride over to Dairy Queen, with good intent, I brought up a topic that enraged my son. We soon got into a heated argument, and the beautiful outing quickly became a distant memory. Damn, just when things were going so well, I had to open my mouth and ruin the day.
It took several hours and many attempts to repair the damage, and by the time my son returned home from a concert in Manhattan after midnight, all was right again. Love was restored, hugs and kisses exchanged, and we both went to bed happy.
When I look back on yesterday, I am grateful that I seized the day and set the scene for my family to laugh together, be outdoors and explore. I loved being taken back in time to a place when they were small and life was much more simple. The beauty is that I now remember that I have the ability to access those magical moments. I plan to do it much more often.
Share your own story of seizing the day and making magic happen.
