The Sleestak & The Spoon

I was looking at the photos I took of our little family vacation in Hocking Hills last week, and noticing that I experienced the Secret of Happiness.

There were 14 of us total, that stayed in this beautiful cabin in the woods; complete with hot tub, pool table, and a huge wrap around porch. It was nice to get together with everyone for something other than a holiday. We roasted marshmallows, played corn hole, and ate lots of yummy food. It was good to see the little ones 'cousining'; catching bugs, laughing, and scheming. But, that's not when I noticed it.

On our last day, we went to Old Man's Cave. It is an amazingly, beautiful place, but the slippery rocks and steep cliffs are enough to give an over-burdened, over-anxious mother a heart attack. Looking at the next photo of the girls going down the steps, I was thinking, "hold on to something, be careful", and all of those other over-anxious mother things...and that's when I noticed. I'm so glad that I wasn't thinking that way then. It reminded me of a story from my favorite book, The Alchemist. Instead of me trying to explain, I'll just have you click here. It's quick and painless.

I think it's a fault of mine that I tend to focus too much on my spoon, so it's good to know there's hope for me. It's good to know that I can trust others. The girls were exploring with their cousins, all under the careful and watchful eyes of their aunts and uncles. Griffin, who I'm sure has the hiking-sense of a lemming, was here...

...on my brother's shoulders most of the time, or wearing his harness and leash for back up. With all of my drops of oil safely on the spoon (or all of my kiddos in good hands), I had the opportunity to look around, and soak up the wonders of the world. I got to see things that I might not have seen otherwise. Like this Sleestak! (a Sleestak is a lizard person from the 1970's TV show, Land of the Lost...yes I'm old!) Well...it was exciting to me anyway...

Life truly is a balancing act...that's no secret, but sometimes I think finding the 'happiness' in it is. I am grateful for my family, and this time spent with them in the woods. I am grateful for all of the beautiful things I got to see, and didn't miss, and I am grateful (sooo very grateful) for my kiddos; the three drops of oil on my spoon.

Quote of the day - The family is one of nature's masterpieces. - George Santayana