Month: December 2020

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” –Robert Brault

Something I enjoy doing is taking a walk on the trail that is near my home.  It goes around a small lake and is about a two and a half mile walk.  I took that walk this afternoon, and shortly after I started out a light snow began to fall.  It was very pretty and peaceful.

I can usually fit in taking this walk around the lake two or three times a week.  In addition to walking being a way to help maintain my health, I enjoy being outside, breathing in the fresh air, seeing the lake and trees and sky, and also seeing whatever animals might appear.  There were a lot of Canadian geese on the lake as well as some flying overhead.  I thought about how those on the lake are probably making a stop before heading south again.  I also saw some squirrels and a rabbit today.

Often when I’m taking a walk, I find myself giving thanks for my ability to do this.  When we are healthy, it can be easy to take for granted our ability to do many of the things we routinely do each day—including being able to walk.  I recently met a young woman who cannot walk and has needed to use a wheelchair since early childhood.  She has adapted well and I’m impressed with all she does despite that limitation.  I hope if I ever lose the ability to walk, I will accept that and adapt to it also.  But seeing her reminds me of one of the many things for which I am thankful.

It also brings to mind the quotation by writer Robert Brault which I put at the beginning of this post.  His reminder to “enjoy the little things” applies to a great many aspects of each of our lives.  Each of us should take a few minutes every day to think about and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the many abilities we have been given.

I recently read the children’s picture book Melvin and the Boy, written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo.  One of the many special things I experienced while raising my daughter was reading to her when she was young.  She is an adult now and living on her own, but I continue to reserve children’s books at the library from time to time to read myself.  In addition to enjoying the stories, I like looking at the illustrations.  The talent and creativity of the illustrators and the various styles of art are impressive.  The illustrations not only reflect the story but also supplement the story.

Melvin and the Boy is an excellent example of storytelling where the illustrations both reflect the story and add to the reading experience.  I won’t tell you the story because I want you to read and enjoy it yourself, except to say a young boy needs to deal with a disappointment and make a decision.  The artwork of course shows the boy and the turtle whom the boy named Melvin, the park, and the boy’s parents who are part of the story.  But in addition the pictures show more than what the words of the story say.  The story doesn’t say the parents are concerned, but the illustrations show the parents’ facial expressions of concern and affection for their son.  The story doesn’t say in words that the parents love each other, but the fondness they have for each other is shown by their holding hands while walking together and in other ways.  And the story doesn’t directly have the parents tell their son they’ll be there for him whatever his decision, but the illustration of the boy walking home with his parents on either side of him at the end of the story makes that clear.

So in addition to hearing the words of the story, which are special in themselves, children seeing the illustrations of positive, accepting, and loving ways people interact is bound to have an influence on them.  These are such important qualities for each of us to have toward others, and it’s never too early for children to see examples of them.  Yet another reason to read to the children in our lives.  And to appreciate the books as adults as well.