We aren't here anymore...

I'm so glad you found us!

As of June 15th 2010 we will be live at our new site!

Visit us for all the latest at
Small Things are Big Things!





Monday, February 1, 2010

Perspective...

Hi Ultimate Blog Party goes,
This is a post from 2 months ago but I just found the party and I didn't want to miss out on the action!
I can't wait to meet you!!
For more UBP posts head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom!
###

It seems that every year or so a buzz word finds it’s way into my brain and shapes my views of life and parenting.
I’m not talking slang buzz words like radical, bitchin’ or whatever.
Last year it was intentional.
As in…
Be intentional about date nights with Hot Hubby.
Intentionally be silly with the kiddos everyday.
When we go places be intentional about teaching children about other cultures and helping the lost and needy.
Fold the laundry… God knows I gotta be intentional about that!
Get the idea?
This year my word has been perspective.
It came to me when…
(photo by Suzane Broughton over at Alive in Wonderland)
While Eli was in preschool Cora Jane and I would get to go on Mommy Date Days.
Library, park, lake… sometimes laundry.
This day our date was at the Irvine Spectrum.
I let her loose, and basically just followed her around anywhere she wanted to go.
Around the planter 14 times. Sure!
Splash a bit in the fountain… maybe even dangle our toes. No problem!
It’s her time.
Cora quickly discovered the giant Ferris wheel.
She was in awe.
She plopped her dimpled diapered bottom in the middle of the walkway to watch the wheel’s slow turning.
I plopped with her.
She clapped.
She danced.
She was brimming with delight only a child has.
We watched that lovely lazy spin for half an hour.
How wonderful that I got to see those giant pieces of steel and mechanics through my daughter’s perspective.
We had just enough time left to go to golden spoon (Side note: I worked at golden spoon back in the day and it’s still my favorite of all the frozen yogurts).
We sat outside so I could people watch… I mean so Cora could still enjoy watching the Ferris wheel.
The Irvine Spectrum is an awesome place to people watch.
REALLY! Put on your best people watching sunglasses… the big dark ones and head on over.
Quite a few stereotypical Orange County women walked by.
Laden with shopping bags, fake hair, plump collagen lips, perky silicon boobs and of course, personally trained bodies.
Wow… wonder about her perspective!?!
Then a group of mentally challenged adults came by with their caregivers. They were in their late 20s and 30s. You could tell they were excited about their outing. Chatting about things they wanted to buy and restaurants they were going to try. Their caretakers were great and you could tell everyone was happy. The group sat near us for lunch.
Then one of the men noticed the Ferris wheel.
He was in awe.
He clapped
He danced.
He was brimming with delight only a child has.
He watched that lovely lazy spin for almost half an hour.
How wonderful that I got to see those giant pieces of steel and mechanics through this man’s perspective.
Then for some reason I started to weep.
Not cry.
I mean full-on shallow breath flooding tears weep.
(Thank God I was wearing my people watching sunglasses!)
I’m not sure why I was so touched by the 3 perspectives.
Was it because plastic OC lady was sucked into a world of self?
Was it because the man I was watching, never experienced getting his license on his 16th birthday, or will probably never get married, have children or be completely independent?
Because he will forever be a child and stare in simple wonder at things like the Spectrum Ferris wheel?
Or because someday my daughter won’t?
Perspective.

23 comments:

noel said...

wow, this was really really beautifully written. love the concept of perspective. love the story.

Kirsten Wright said...

Wow - seriously teared up myself reading this post. It is so true, every word of it. I often wish I still had the untouched and unbiased perspective of a child...thank you for sharing this with us!

Kirsten Wright said...

Wow - seriously teared up myself reading this post. It is so true, every word of it. I often wish I still had the untouched and unbiased perspective of a child...thank you for sharing this with us!

Anonymous said...

"Plastic OC lady" might be thinking loving, graceful thoughts as she walks by with her tan and her silicone boobs.

I love people like that.

Elaina M. Avalos said...

Beautiful post!

Adam Rogers said...

Dude, nice post! you should write that many words more often. P.S. everytime I walk by a golden spoon I think of the "Golden spoon diet" Circa 2002. :-) By the way, thanks for letting me steal your hubby on Wednesday!

Kara said...

I was mentally forming my comment before writing it, but the first 3 commenters stole my opener...sorry to be redundant but: Wow, beautiful post - thank you!

Sarah DeSalvo said...

Wow, beautiful post! and what a great reminder!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your Prespective of your day... so that way we may see it and feel it... I sure felt it in the tears i wept from just reading this post... Korie

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

GREAT post Kara!!!

PS - the GS is still my all time favorite, too!

rachael said...

PERSPECTIVE is a great word for 2010. I definitely need to adjust my perspective daily. Thank you for today's reminder.

Love the glasses on CJ :)

Amber said...

I cried my eys out. Thank you so much for shaing this. I am going to link to this on my blog. What an awesome awesome blog post. Thank you Kara Noel.

Angela @ Nine More Months said...

Wow Kara, what a great post! Very moving.

(And I love people watching at the Spectrum, too!)

Admin said...

Love this! So sweet and so true! Lucky kids to have a silly mom that has a wonderful perspective on life:)

Donna ~Blessed Nest said...

Ah sweet friend, beautiful! You had me in tears....xo

Chris said...

wow, great post!!!

im dropping by from the philippines :) i joined the blog party too! hope to see you at The Mommy Journey

Maria and Michelle said...

I like the idea of living by a word like that! It's so thoughtful. I can't wait to read more as I look around from UBP '10. Stop by FTSN for a visit and some peanut butter pie when you have time!

http://www.fromthesamenest.com

~ Michelle

Anonymous said...

looks like you have a lot of fun with your family! Hope you're enjoying the UBP.

Susie Buetow said...

Toot Toot the #UBP10 Party Train coming through!!!

I love meeting new bloggers!

Have a great party!

@Susieqtpies at Scraps of Life http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Beautiful post....Bookmarking so I can come back and read more....
Party hopping and having a blast.....so many great blogs....I have a Fun $100 Gift Basket to give away and all it takes a comment.
I am number....294 and 295.....Stop by and see me at either blog...Happy Saturday! PLUS I JUST PUT UP A SURPRSIE GIVEAWAY FOR TONIGHT. ......you still have time to enter
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2010/04/just-little-extra-to-add-to-blog-party.html
Blessings, Teresa
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2010/04/ultimate-blog-party-and-great-prize.html
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/

Stacey said...

Love the post! I follow you on Twitter and am not sure why I haven't stopped by your blog before...Glad I found it on the UBP!

Michelle said...

You have a cute blog and seem like a great person to get to know. As I am right in the middle of laundry I can't stay long. Just stopping by from UBP 2010.

Ms D said...

What a beautiful post and your daughter is so cute!! Nice to meet you!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails