Mother's Day 2015

Sunday morning I took a walk in the woods with my mom, my husband, and my daughter. My mom and I lagged behind looking for large rocks for possible excavation, trying to identify a fungus growing on the hickory trees, and admiring the moss and may apples. Lindsey and Audrey were below us, already in the bed of the creek. She was talking a mile a minute and having a blast climbing over the slippery rocks, riding the fallen tree branches, and wildly exploring. She kept calling for me but I was slow not only because the hillside was so steep, but because I was taking pictures of the lichen, moss, bark, and ferns. My mom called out, "Get a picture of you and Audrey together."

"What?" I complained, "I haven't brushed my hair or my teeth, I don't have on any makeup, and I have on dad's shirt."

As soon as the words left my month, I realized how incredibly lame they were. I don't think Audrey heard me. I hope she didn't, because not wanting to have your picture taken when you are having fun and doing something cool just because you don't have on makeup and happen to look like a sloppy truck driver is really stupid.

So, I decided to follow Audrey's example and just explore. Be in the moment. Experience joy. I shoved the camera in my pocket and continued the trek down the hill, meeting her and Lindsey. 

I had him take this picture a few minutes later at the bottom of the creek with my very happy, adventurous, funny, smart, kid who continues to teach me how to be a better person every day. I'm smiling in it because I'm so in love with my daughter. I'm smiling because I'm making my mom happy. I'm smiling because I know I just learned another life lesson. I'm smiling because I'm in a very beautiful place in the woods. I'm smiling because this overweight, out of shape, mid-life crisis bag of bones can still get around and enjoy life.

I continued to walk the creek bed, concentrating on not slipping on the wet mossy rocks, one worn shoe in front of the other, grabbing tree branches cold from the previous night's rain for leverage. I looked ahead at Lindsey and Audrey.

I have everything I need. They remind me that I matter.