2020-11-08 Simple Things

I have been teleworking and generally social distancing for well over half a
year now.  Some of this has been challenging and very frustrating. But some
parts have been unexpected gifts.

One of the best things about all this time at home is that I have been able to
spend a lot of time with my youngest kid, who is now just over a year and a
half old.  When my two older kids were born, I was so busy with work that I
didn't even notice all the moments that were passing by.  Now in this otherwise
miserable 2020, I am blessed with so many of these moments.

Just this morning I took her outside because she always wants to go out and
look for the moon in the sky.  The weather was warm, the sky was clear, the
moon was visible, and the last remaining leaves in the trees were one by one
breaking free and parachuting down to the earth.  Everything in the
neighborhood was quiet, so we could hear each leaf as it tumbled past branches
and other leaves in its decent.  We stood there silent, me and my daughter,
pointing at each yellow or red leaf as it fell to the ground.  We caught a few
in mid-air, integrating ourselves with the autumn display.  For a few minutes,
the entire world ceased to exist, other than the two of us, the falling leaves,
and the sunlight illuminating the autumn trees around us.  It was so simple,
but felt very special.

One of the blessings in disguise from 2020 has been the ability to slow down
and enjoy some easily overlooked but absolutely priceless experiences like
this.