Wonder

    Wonder. Pj taught me a beautiful lesson this evening. A lesson on Wonder. When Mr. L reminded me, after supper, that we had to go out to pick up his car from the mechanic's house - I saw it as an annoying ill timed chore. A chore that involved moving a finally-sleeping-baby into his car seat, dressing a cranky-should-be-in-bed-toddler into her winter wear, and a very cold dark drive. To say I was less than excited is an understatement. In fact, I would even say, I grumped. I grumped about how I was tired. I grumped about how Pj hadn't napped and would now probably whine the whole way. I grumped about how Big C would probably wake up and want to nurse...again (because he's into this whole "cluster feeding thing" lately). I grumped.
   I do have to admit here that I have a very patient husband. He apologized...for something that wasn't even his fault! He didn't decide to break the car on Friday, and have it get worked on over the weekend, and need to be picked up on Monday evening (in fact, he would much rather not have his car rusting out around him, thank you very much!). But he apologized anyways. And then he kissed me on my forehead, changed a couple of diapers and helped me get the kids ready to go out into the cold (all the while I was still grumping).
   Anyways, back to my lesson on Wonder. We were almost at the mechanics house when I noticed a house all decked out Christmas style. I pointed it out to Pj as a point of interest but didn't really think anything of it....until I heard the gasp come from her carseat followed by, "Oh wow Momma! Pitty house!!!". She was in awe. To her, the house was dressed like a princess (something she actually said :D). It was dressed up, and she was blessed to be able to witness it. From then on she looked out the window and pointed out each and every decorated house on the street (and on any streets she could get a glimpse of at intersections!). She was mesmerized with Wonder at the beauty of it  all! And I was put to shame. Instead of seeing this little trip as a chore I could have seen it as an adventure with the three people I love most in this world. I could have been open to the Wonder all around me from the very beginning. It took a 2 year old to remind me that every day is filled with Wonder - we only need to stop and notice.
   On the way home I found myself driving slowly up and down the streets in our neighborhood. Pj and I "oohed" and "awed" at all the beautifully decorated houses. I drove basking in the Wonder that Pj was experiencing. Although this is her third Christmas season, to her, its her first. And with this first comes Wonder. I've noticed it a couple of times over this past week - Wonder at the snow slowly falling, Wonder at the frosty windows, Wonder at the need for a hat because the wind is blowing coldly, and now Wonder at the beautiful Christmas lights. The twinkling lights pulled her in and she was so content to be amazed. I want to enjoy that Wonder. My hope is that I can slow down and try to experience life with even a small percentage of the Wonder that Pj greets each day. Hopefully this way I can help Pj to not loose her Wonder. My hope is also that I can teach Pj the true Wonder of this season. The Wonder of our Saviour's coming. Truthfully, there is no greater Wonder than that! Wonder. 

My little Pj - teaching me more than I think I teach her!