January delivered a beautiful day today. Yesterday was rainy and chilly and gloomy; this morning is blue skies and mild temperatures, full of false spring teases.  So I did what many a New Englander does on rare days like these: I went on a walk. Glorious vitamin D therapy! Fresh air in my lungs!

On the way home I passed a mom on the bridge, one child in the jogging stroller and one dawdling behind her. The stroller baby was asleep and the dawdler was poking at sticks and peering over the bridge at the water and squatting to examine bits of something-or-other. The mom was relaxed and watching, crouching sometimes to examine right along her son.* 

As I trudged up the hill and left the trio behind, I regretted not crossing the street and telling her how awesome she is + how lucky that boy is to have someone who lets him set the pace now and then + how she's making the world a better place a little at a time, every single day.

Shoot. I think I'm going to regret that all day.

So my gentle assignment to myself (and you, should you choose to accept!) is to catch a mom who's doing a good job and tell her.  Write a note, pipe up in the grocery store, leave a wide smile and a compliment.  

We all can use a little feedback + cheer now and then, right?

{Let me know how it goes + I'll do the same.}  

. . .

*Ah, I miss having a three-year-old dawdler, although I'm not sure I appreciated as much as I should have at the time.  I should channel that child wonder pace in my life now and then. Stop and look. Marvel and wonder.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Happy to take off my mind:

• Did I register Lauren for driver's ed? Yes, I did.
• the paper for the class last night. I finished it yesterday. Whew, that was a close one.
• the presentation at the Harvard Faculty Club on Wednesday. Turns out, when I get exceptionally nervous I get really, really drowsy. In spite of my desire to find a quiet corner and nap, it went really well. And best of all? It's over!
• Was my house clean enough for the houseguests last night? No. Not even close. But oh well.