Capturing a moment before it’s gone

Recognize when a moment is fleeting.

Take a mental picture.

Hug it tight. 

Keep it close so on a hard day or in a quiet moment you can draw it out of your memories.

And, just like that, you’re overcome with delight. It’s as if you’re experiencing that moment for the first time.

Imagine if we treated more moments this way.

Kate’s 13th birthday

A birthday reflection

I have officially reached the age where I have to pause and really think about how old I am. (Hope I’m not the only one who does this.) Since becoming sandwiched between 35 and 40, all the birthdays just sort of run together in a blur of “late 30s” sliding (sometimes a little too quickly) to 40. Plus, in my head, I’m only 25 so that also confuses the situation.

Over the last two to three years, May 3 has given me a gift of happiness and a sense of accomplishment. “Hey, I’ve done pretty well for myself,” I think. Then, I pause to tick off my successes – both personal and professional – and feel like I haven’t left too much on the table.

And then May 3 hands me her second gift. It’s small but heavy – a sense that there’s still so much to do. I haven’t yet been to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Maine. I haven’t traveled to Spain or Paris. I still need to get an article published in O magazine. Aren’t birthdays the perfect time to root around in your bucket list, trying to find one exciting – and yet reasonable – goal for the coming year?

So today I’ll think about what’s to come but mostly I’ll pause for a long grateful moment and think about my incredible husband, daughter and family, my two sweet dogs, my stellar group of friends, the fact I’m in the best shape of my life (thanks, CrossFit), a successful businesses and a Lord who loves me.

And that’s not too shabby for a woman who just turned … wait, how old am I? Well, let’s just say I’m in my late 30s.