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Let's Go Fly A Kite

Can you remember the last time you flew a kite?  I'll have to admit that until just yesterday I had never flown a kite, at least not that I can remember.  For some unknown reason it wasn't one of my ambitions growing up as a child.  To me, that sort of thing wasn't full of excitement and too slow paced for my likes.  Flying a kite seemed downright dull.  Or so I thought.

Yesterday my oldest daughter brought a kite home from pre-school. I'm embarassed to say that more often than not I've rolled my eyes when my daughter walked out of pre-school, family project in hand. My itinerary is usually full for the afternoon and taking time out to help my daughter complete her task would leave me behind and put more work on the next day's schedule.  So I tried to match her enthusiasm about her kite when she jumped in the car, secretly thinking of excuses to get out of flying it that afternoon.

When we got home I made lunch and our plans were distracted by a phone call from my husband. He needed some items taken to his job site.  By the time I rounded everything up, loaded the kids in the car, took my husband's stuff and returned home it left little more than an hour before I needed to start supper.  I was tired and when my daughter asked if we could fly her kite, I wasn't polite in telling her that she would have to wait because I had more important things to do.

As I started supper my thoughts about all of the undone tasks were interrupted by my daughters squeals and giggles from outside.  I looked out the window to see her running around the yard, her kite slowly being raised by the light wind.  At that moment I was drawn to my beautiful daughter and her colorful kite.

We took turns, her and I, flying her kite.  I was surprised at how much fun I was having, yet how relaxed I felt.  It was exhilerating seeing the kite gently climb into the air and wonderful to see the joy in my daughters face as she jumped to catch it.  We were both lost in the moment and before I knew it supper time had long since passed.

What did I learn from this day? A lot. I learned that it's possible to have a great deal of fun doing the simple things, especially when done with those you love.  You don't have to spend a fortune, travel long distances or attend a famous event.  Life's pleasures are the simple things, most often the things we take for granted.

More importantly I learned, and hope to remember every day, that my daughter, my children bring more joy to me than anything else in the world. Why do I invest more time doing the mundane tasks of life that no matter what will always be there, than with my children who tomorrow will not? Since then I have vowed to prioritize my life and show my family each and every day how much I love them. Together, our love and family happiness can soar higher than a kite.

Shannon Jarvies is a SAHM to four wonderful children and wife to a great guy. She publishes and on-line newsletter for "Moms Only". It includes articles written by her, work at home resources, freebies, themed party ideas and more.  Subscribe at http://momsonly.listbot.com or subscribe-momsonly@listbot.com and visit her website http://www.amomsjoy.com