We picked my uncle up at the train station and ended up at a local diner having a second breakfast where my son tried his first bite of french toast. For those that have children, keeping an active ~3yr old entertained for over an hour can be a challenge but I think that we all handled it pretty well. It was a great meal and allowed us to catch up on family 'news and the weather'. I have fond memories of my uncle growing up and he was one of the reasons that I decided to migrate to the Bay Area years ago. He has since retired to Asheville, North Carolina so there are not many opportunities to connect in person as there used to be - it was a rare treat.
My energetic intention for a brief visit like this is to experience at least one memorable event, or what I call a 'Family Moment' - something that connects people together at the heart and is remembered long beyond the visit. As the years go by, I have learned not necessarily to expect this while everyone is dressed up, sitting at the table and the turkey is brought out of the kitchen 'a la' Norman Rockwell (but for the record I have had a few of those as well). I have found from experience that true Family Moments normally come when people let down their guard or when you least expect it.
In this case our Family Moment came as the 3 'boys' headed to the diner's restroom after the meal. My son is in the potty training stage so we take every opportunity we can get to 'practice'. It was a small bathroom but enough room for the 3 of us and upon finishing up I lifted my son up to the sink to wash his hands. When he was done with the soap and water he reached over the the paper towel dispenser and it was one of those with the motion sensor. Wow! The joy of a 3 yr old with a new found discovery had us all enjoying a moment of hilarity. The love and laughter was everywhere in the bathroom and something that connected us across time, space and 3 generations - it was a moment that I will always remember.
What this Family Moment also made me appreciate and feel was that my uncle not only took the time to come and visit, but to be present while he was visiting. So often, we travel and visit family and are barely present through our own issues, concerns and drama. Sometimes just a little 'pause in the restroom' is all that it takes to be present to where you are: with family and those that love you.
This Family Moment had me re-affirm my own personal intention as I head out to see my niece and nephew over Thanksgiving to create a moment or two for their childhood. I'll be looking for more of them with the rest of my family over the holiday season with more visits in store. My suggested exercise is that you set a similar intention for yourself and see what transpires. Just one is all it takes and you'll have heart and laughter in your holidays that will last well beyond the season.
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2010 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
