Just Because

She was sitting in the seat at the front of the cart, though she was barely visible.
Her mother was shopping for decorative pillows.
The pillows that were being purchased were stacked all around her.
They did not start out that way.

They had been in the basket of the cart, to be sure.
However, building a fort with pillows in a shopping cart is much more fun.
Building a fort anywhere is much more fun.
I remember quite a few of our own forts many years ago.

This little girl was pulling the pillows from the basket.
She was careful not to drop any on the floor.
She was creative enough to hide herself almost completely.
Except for her little socks and sneakers sticking out, she hid herself well.

I finished the things I needed to do.
The checkout lines were quite busy.
I did not have a cart so my items were in my hands.
I chose a line and found that I was behind the mother and her little girl.

By this time, the little girl was holding only one pillow.
The others had been tossed back into the basket.
The one she was holding seemed to infatuate her.
She was running her fingers back and forth along the top.

As I got closer, I could see that the pillow was covered in sequins.
Rows of green, purple, and black sequins ran diagonally across the pillow.
This pillow was totally different from the other decorative pillows the mother was buying.
This pillow was obviously the little girl’s favorite.

The little girl smiled at me and held out her pillow.
That is such a pretty pillow, I said, thinking how uncomfortable the sequins would be to lie on.
The pillow is so shiny, I added.
She ran her fingers along the pillow first one way and then the other.

I realized that she was changing the position of the sequins.
Between the movement and the overhead lights, the pillow actually shimmered.
Pretty, she repeated.
Shiny, she said as she held out the pillow for her mother to see.

She is so adorable, I said to the mother and meant it.
How old is she? I asked.
Two and a half, her mother replied as she fixed the barrette in her daughter’s hair.
The little girl was still changing the position of the sequins on the pillow.

We need to pay for the pillow, her mother said as she reached out her hands.
The little girl reluctantly handed her shiny pillow to her mother.
The cashier scanned the UPC code.
She immediately handed it back to the little girl who gave the pillow a hug.

I wish we could all be like children, I said to her mother.
The littlest thing makes them so happy, I added.
The mother agreed as she gathered her things and left.
I wondered where the pillow was going to be placed once they got home.

I wish we could all be like children.
I really do.
Not childish, with a “never wanting to grow up and take responsibility” kind of behavior.
Rather childlike, filled with innocence and wonder.

I want to see the world through the eyes of a child.
I want to stop and take notice of the squirrels gathering nuts for the winter.
I want to be amazed at the intricacies of a spider web.
I want to pick up and leaf and rush home and iron it between sheets of wax paper.

I want to skip if I want to, belly laugh if I want to, and mismatch my clothes, just because.
I want to stop and talk to the woolly caterpillar on the driveway.
I want to throw walnuts into the woods that have fallen from the tree.
I want to talk to decorative scarecrows and hear them answer back.

I want to put aside adulthood for an afternoon and run my fingers across a sequined pillow.
Just because.
I want to color and hang my artwork on the refrigerator.
I want to hold onto wonder.

I thought of an essay by Erma Bombeck that I read years ago:

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s.” More “I’m sorry’s.” But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff. Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what. Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us. Let’s think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it’s gone. I hope you all have a blessed day. (IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck)

I think Erma Bombeck would have enjoyed a sequined pillow.
Just because.
Maybe as we get older we really see the beauty of moments.
Maybe as we get older we see how fleeting life really is.

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! (Psalm 39:4)

A child knows how to live life to the fullest.
A child finds joy in the smallest thing.
A child experiences wonder and takes hold of it.
A child loves unconditionally and can teach us grown-ups a thing or two.

Imagine.
A pillow with green, purple, and black sequins reminded me of something most of us forget.
We hurry through life to be more adult so that we will be taken seriously.
That attitude has a price: we forget how to be a child.

Take hold of wonder, just because.

 

2 responses to “Just Because”

1. You are so right! We need to see the world like kids–the wonder of nature and the pleasure in little things. We need to “stop and smell the roses” and enjoy the “now”. I try to do that. Being an artist I do notice and see a lot, just born in me I guess. I thank God for that. But it is something we all can cultivate and it will make our lives happier.

   Reply

   • Sue,
     Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)
     I think I understand more and more why Jesus said that. Children have no pretenses. Their innocence and wonder are captivating. They have a sweet, trusting faith that we explain away as an adult. We could take a lesson or two from a child.
     Gina

     Reply