Perfection- In the moment

My life has been filled with some interesting times. I have had some amazing days, and amazing moments. As a matter of fact when I look back at the number of quality moments I've had, I can't help but wonder if others have had as many, because many of the people I see though the course of a day just seem to be not as happy in life as they should be. But, that's not what this post is about, this post is about one of the most perfect moments I have had in a long time. I have to say the most perfect moment to date was the day I first met my wife in person, but this perfection is a little different.

I've had a lot of great time bicycling both with groups, and just with one friend, but also solo it can be quite wonderful to turn any way you like, and know that with enough of those turns you'll end up back home. Much as I love to cycle, I also love to spend time with my family, well, yesterday I went on a short ride with my 8 year old stepdaughter, my wife hasn't been feeling up to riding due to some complications with a surgery so she went along in the car, met us at our destination and brought our two crazy dogs so we could run them around a bit after feeding the ducks, which was the original plan. The ride to this destination was great, and we had a grand time, but the moment this is about happened even before that.

It started with me noticing that we actually had a sunny brisk morning outside, and that indeed my cappucino maker still funcitoned. I fashioned a nice cup of coffee, and ventured outside, I invited my wife to join me, asking if she perhaps wanted some tea, she accepted and we headed out to our little table in the backyard. Upstairs I could hear our daughter playing her trumpet. Now, I want to tell you, when this trumpet thing started, I would pray to the Gods that she be finished by the time I got home from work, as the sounds emanating from this unit were less musical and more of what you might hear from a dying seal. However, in just a few short weeks, the sounds coming from the end of this instrument have turned to music, or to notes at least, which as I understand it are parts of music. We ventured outside, and were enjoying our beverages, then we heard our daughter calling for her mom, and she came outside. She asked what we were drinking, and I told her I had coffee, and her mom had tea, and I asked if she would like something? She responded she'd like to go in and see what we had, so we did.

We came back out with her steaming cup of chai latte, and she was thrilled. I got her a chair, which she opted out of, she sat instead on my knee, talking away with us, and sipping her drink. It occured to me at this moment how vastly different my life was from what it had been just a few years ago, and how much happier I was now. Truly times of frustration and struggle make those moments all the more special later on. I remember dealing with many tantrums, head butting incidents where I was certain that this person living in our house would simply never be on board with the bigger picture, and now, here we all were, drinking warm morning beverages, and discussing whatever came to mind. The slight chill in the air, my wonderful wife and daughter, and the way it is to know that you are a part of something as special as a family, are what combined to make perfection, in the moment, for me.

I don't know if anyone is reading yet, but if you are, take a moment to remember, those around you are the reason for your health, the better you feel, the more you will enjoy every moment, and the more moments you are likely to be around to enjoy. Bicycling is a great thing, and I love every moment I get to do it, but I also remember that this pastime is just that, and that the people that I share my life with come before that 20 mile ride, and we all need to remember them when we plan our next multi hour outing. I'm not saying don't go, but I'm saying make sure you value the time you get to spend with them as well. Balance in all things, after all, is the route to true happiness.

F2PH