Preserving the Wonder

The resort was gorgeous, boasting stunning views of the sunset against the backdrop of the mountains every night.

The rooms, clean and comfortable, the spa unreal, the meals delicious, and the staff spoiling you with their attention to your every want and need.

As we finished up an incredible buffet breakfast one morning in the dining room looking out over the mountains, I had to ask myself a question —

How do I preserve the wonder, the awe, the knowledge that this is a delightful luxury, not a commonplace occurrence? As I thought more about this weighty question, I realized my real question was how do I teach my children to appreciate the wonder of life?

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My childhood was a gift. A precious one that I realize more with every passing year how much I took it for granted as a young person. My parents were not only loving, kind, compassionate providers, but also firm and wise, instilling in us a sense of gratitude for life, for our family, for our education, for vacations, for dining out, for buying special, non necessary things or clothing items.

Because of their wisdom and guidance, experiences like the one described above are regarded as a special treat to be treasured, but not assumed to be the norm. In other words, during our time at this resort, I still gazed around in awe at the magnificent lobby, noting the special details in the woodwork, the massive stone fire places, smiling with delight at the fruit infused water set out specifically for the resort guests, and savoring each moment during my spa day. This particular trip was sponsored by my husband’s company which made it even more special as I felt like royalty throughout the week.

I never want to lose that excitement over the wonder of not only travel and special occasions, but also everyday life. I have challenged myself since starting this blog to see the everyday as extraordinary, each twenty-four hours as a gift to appreciate our actual lives and the people and experiences they contain, but how do I teach that? How do my husband and I preserve that wonder, the wonder of life?

How do you keep the wonder of a fancy dinner with your love?

How do you remember the relaxing feeling that washes over your body like a long awaited shower after a massage?

How do you bottle up the awe of a stunning sunset?

How do you appreciate the sense of relief, of joy some days, that courses through you when you slip under the covers at night, finally at rest?

How do you hold onto the emotion that accompanies worship on Sundays, when you finally realize what the grace Jesus gave to us means for you, for your relationships, and for your life?

How do you appreciate the ability to walk, run, jump, read, play, draw another breath without a hint of struggle, with no fear of a medical history a mile long?

How will you remember the heady feeling of falling in love, of deciding to commit your life, your forever, to another person?

How do you capture the wonder of another day, another memory, another breath?

How can we preserve the wonder of life?

And the thought came —

I must instill that sense of wonder in the seemingly mundane Mondays and routine Thursdays of my own life if I have any hope of passing that on to our future children.

Because the wonder of living isn’t just reserved for the weeks at the resorts or beaches of life; it’s found mostly in the kitchens and backyards of life — in the relationships, the gathering around the table, the time spent with family, friends, and the time spent outside in nature.

You see, if we can’t appreciate the wonder, the extraordinary moments, of our everyday life; we must ask the question — how could we possibly appreciate the added sense of wonder accompanying extra special events, milestones, or travel opportunities?

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If you can’t tell — I’m still musing through my thoughts on this subject, and I would love yours! How do you try to appreciate the wonder of living in your own life? How do you think it is best taught?