Joy To The World

I haven't blogged this week. Nothing too unusual. I am not the most consistent blogger lately. However, this past week there has been a lot on my mind. I just don't know how to say it. All of us know what happened last Friday. There are no words that I can say. I don't know what to say. I can only offer my prayers. A week later I am still filled with a profound sadness. I still cry when I watch the news coverage or see an online post about one of the victims. I can only imagine what those families, all of those families, are going through. I cannot imagine the pain they are in. As a parent I cannot fathom a day without those wacky kids here with me. I have hugged my babies extra tight this week and been sure to tell them how much I love them, as I am sure everyone around the world has done this week. I have limited what Diva has seen or heard about the tragedy. She saw the news coverage on Monday morning. She had a few questions and I answered them honestly. After our talk Mr. Mayer asked me if she was going to be okay. As if on cue she immediately started dancing around the living room and asking if she had to wear her heavy coat to school. I told him I thought she was going to be just fine.
One thing that last Friday taught me is that time is fleeting. This time of year has a tendency to get crazy busy. Life has been so busy that I have found myself to be worn out, cranky, and completely missing all the little moments that this time of year has to offer. A perfect example happened last week. We took the kids to a popular place in town to view Christmas Lights. Traffic was horrible, it was crowded, people were rude and I completely lost my holiday spirit. In hindsight I feel ashamed. I should have savored the moment. The kids were all having a great time. We weren't on a time schedule, what did it matter if it was crowded and we were moving slow? We were making memories. I missed the joy in the moment.
Since last week I have heard a lot about doing 26 random acts of kindness. I am all for that. However, my personal belief is that we should not use a horrible tragedy to promote random acts of kindness. I think kindness is something that we should practice year round. I can't think of a better example of pure joy and kindness than a child. I try to be kind and help those around me. I realize that we are all just a circumstance or two away from needing to be on the receiving end of kindness. My life in general has been insanely blessed and I am very aware of this fact. I know that the decisions of others when I was young could have put me on a completely different path. I try to keep this in mind and pay if forward whenever I can.
I challenge everyone to practice random acts of kindness throughout the next year. It doesn't have to be a grand or monetary gesture. Something as simple as holding a door open for someone or helping someone with their hands full will speak volumes. It's amazing how your act of kindness can be contagious. Before we know it we may be faced with a kinder world. It could happen. I'm an optimist.
In the meantime I am going to try my very best to enjoy the next few days with my family. I am going to try to savor the small things. If my dishes do not get done so be it. Unless the world ends tomorrow~in that case I'm off the hook for dishes. Yay!!