First, let me admit, I did sing the jingle out loud when I first wrote this line.
For anyone who grew up or lived in New England 20 or 30 years ago, that was the jingle for Foxwoods Casino.
Anyway….
The inspiration for this column happened yesterday when I was sitting with my one-year-old grandson, Carson. I was in my recliner with my little buddy crawling around the living room when he came in front of me and put his arms up. This is Carson-speak for, “Pick me up!”
I soon discovered the reason for this request: my Roomba, or robotic vacuum, was moving around the room.
I wouldn’t say he was afraid but he did keep a watchful eye on it until it returned to its base. He would turn and twist so he could see it and I realized that he was discovering this weird thing for the first time. He was studying it so intensely. And it was so cool to watch.
I may have mentioned before how I love to just sit and watch my grandchildren as they discover something new. Maybe they are discovering something they’ve never seen before or maybe they’re discovering something new about themselves. It’s pretty amazing.
Of course, Carson is discovering many things for the first time. His first cake at his birthday party and this summer we took him for his first ice cream. He’s discovering the sand at the beach and the ocean. We recently turned his car seat around so it’s front-facing now and he’s discovering all the interesting things out the window.
My other grandson, Liam, is almost seven. A few weeks ago on our trip to Texas he discovered he could push me around in a wheelchair in airports and he was so happy about that. It made the time fly by a little easier.
It’s so nice to see the wonder in their eyes.
Sadly, as the novelty of all these things wear off we seem to miss out on some of the wonders of this world. They are still there. Every day.
Do you take the time to look?
I didn’t always.
In my earlier adulthood I admit that I was “too busy,” or at least I thought I was. I had work, I had a young family, I was coaching and trying to get it all done and be a success!
It wasn’t always easy when I was recovering from a surgery or my stroke.
Fortunately, I’ve found that as we get older it’s easier to “stop and smell the roses.” For some, at least, maybe not for all.
If you’ve recently suffered a loss or your health is an issue I can see how it would be difficult.
I posted a quote I read once: “When you have more years behind you than you do in front of you, you start to look at things differently.”
Wonder: To feel curious, to want to know something, or to feel a strong sense of surprise and awe.
Do you still have that sense of wonder? I hope so.
The sunrise or the sunset. I love to walk by the beach. Even though I’m in the same spot day-after-day the view is never the same. The cloud cover might be different or the waves might be bigger or smaller.
A friend of mine just got back from a cruise in Alaska. The pictures I saw were amazing and I can only imagine what it was like to actually be there.
I like to watch the students at a high school game when I’m broadcasting. They are so full of life, possibilities and dreams.
I’m constantly discovering new things and developing more of an appreciation for the things I took for granted. It helps that I’ve always been curious but I think your attitude changes as you get older.
I hope you are amazed by something today.
May we never lose that sense of wonder about the world around us.
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