There is magic in the way you look at our children – fully present, full of deep love. Your head isn’t buried in your phone, typing a text or checking email. When you are with our kiddos – you are WITH them. Sure, you could be doing a hundred other things on the never-ending “to do” list. Sure, there are always daily tasks, worries and challenges that could take you from being in this very moment. Sure, there are moments when you pick up that phone and moments when you need a break.

But you know what our children are going to remember?

~ Twirling around and around, stopping and seeing your eyes so lovingly on her.

~ Trying hard to find the answer to a math problem and looking up and seeing your smile of kindness patiently encouraging him.

~ Climbing a tree so high, so focused on looking up and then looking down and seeing you watching him in amazement.

~ Coloring so intently, making up story after story in her own world, then looking up and seeing you there, present, holding the space quietly for her to dream.

Your eyes are on our children and me. These tender, patient, deeply loving eyes. Not buried in your phone. Not looking around at the hundreds of things still left undone at the end of the day. Your eyes are here, lovingly attentive to us.

And I would totally miss seeing these quiet, loving ways of you looking at me, at us, if I am running around trying to make it all happen, connecting online instead of connecting right here in this moment, saying “yes” to everyone and everything.

So, this fall, that’s why I’m putting down the cell phone. That’s why I left the fast pace of ivy league for the slower pace of our little town. That’s why I’m selective about how I spend my time. That’s why I’m learning to leave the house a mess, carpets vacuumed, and the dishes in the sink. That’s why my book is going to take years to write. That’s why we don’t work insane schedules. That’s why I’m learning to let go of the daily worrying and jump into the delight that is present right here in this very moment.

And though I still have moments where I find myself back at that place of worrying about the small stuff, scrambling to pick up the clutter, and wanting to do more and be more, I don’t want to miss the way you look at us. I am choosing to be right here, present to what matters most.

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Dear Ones, this week, take some time to notice something about your partner that often goes unnoticed.  Take time to notice what may not be so obvious, something that might easily “fly under the radar” of your awareness and gratitude.  Often this “something” is what they do every single day — and we’ve gotten used to it “just being there” — it’s just a “given.”  I’d imagine it would be lovely for your partner for you to tell him/her that you SEE how they care for and love you and your family.  This is the stuff that matters in life.