Fenway and I walk to the Lake almost every morning in the good weather – he to sniff all the interesting stuff along the way and anoint every tree, me to look and listen. Spring is an especially nice time of year to go “check the Lake”. The trees are leafing, flowers bloom – one kind after another, birds chirp, squirrels chase, breeze comes up – it’s just a lovely time of year in Milwaukee.
I don’t walk with anything but the dog, a bag to pick up any of his “leavings” and my house keys. I leave my phone at home figuring I can return any calls that may come in when I get home. I don’t use an IPod even though I think Dave gave me one awhile back. I just try to enjoy the day and my surroundings. There is just so much going on, so much to notice in our mile-long exploration. I’m constantly amazed at just how many shades of green surround me. And how many different shapes are found in leaves!
Along the way I sometimes see or pass young mothers pushing their little one(s) in their strollers. They are often in exercise clothing, moving at a good clip. A nice way to get some fresh air for their little ones while finding time to get some exercise of their own. But I also see that they are usually walking along with some kind of plugs in their ears, or talking into a hands-free cell phone. Long conversations, or track after track of their favorite music. I glance at the little one in the stroller, six months old? A year? Almost two? I don’t know. But I look at the little ones and they often just seem sort of bored.
I love technology. I love my laptop. I love email. I love the internet. I love music. I love talk shows on NPR. Our modern today is an amazing place – but for me, the walk around the neighborhood is the wrong place for all of it.
How about leaving the phone at home, taking the IPod out of your ears and using the quick walk around the block with your child for another purpose? To help him see what’s out there. To help her look at the world and appreciate the changes. To help yourself see everything through these new eyes.
How many squirrels did you count? There is a pine cone on the sidewalk, did you stop, pick it up and let your little one feel the ridges? Did you stop to look at the sailboats bobbing on the mooring balls in the harbor? Did you notice when your little girl cocked her head to see the loud airplane pass through the sky? How about stopping at each cross street to say “Now we look both ways! OK – no cars, we can go!” Has your pre-schooler opened eyes wide in wonder as you let her blow on the dandelion to see all the seeds fly away in the breeze? Did you pause to watch that fat robin tug and pull and tug again until a long earthworm finally let go and she flew off with her prize?
There is so much to see in a quick walk around the block with your child. Take those few moments to let them know they are the center of your world – for fifteen minutes. No phone conversation or song can compete. Say “Oh look…..” to them until they are old enough to say “Oh look…” to you.
Goodness knows I wasn’t a perfect mom - and besides we didn’t even have all these electronic toys so who knows - maybe I would have used them in the same way - but I’d like to think not. As the now-mom of two adult children and four grandsons I look back and can really see how the years fly by. My two were babes in arms just “yesterday” - I swear!
It’s a cliché – but these years go so quickly and they will soon enough be asking you for the car keys....so stop the merry-go-round when you can and enjoy the moment in front of you.
:-)
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