Saturday night was a fall night taken straight out of a story book. The evening was crisp, but only enough to require a light sweater. The sun was slowly sinking behind the riverbank, its golden reflection shimmering on the still waters of the Potomac. We were encapsulated in a beautiful car that the top of the National Ferris Wheel watching boats returning to dock for the evening and a group of young teens in formal attire were enjoying a memorable Homecoming evening down below.
It was perfect…except that one of the boys had refused to eat much lunch and was now adamantly repeating how hungry he was. After a couple of rotations of the ferris wheel, both boys decided they were ready for a new adventure despite the serene scenery. We had no control over the ride's start/stop lever, so all we could do was sit back and enjoy the 15 minute ride. Maybe it was the serenity of the almost quiet within the car, the pure beauty of being on the water at sunset, or that evening's enhanced ability to tune out anything that was going to ruin the moment, but when the ferris wheel did come to a stop to the great appreciation of my boys, I found myself relaxed and happy.
We walked into our restaurant of choice and were seated immediately, an answer to prayer knowing the hunger level was already at high. Even better, we sat next to the window, and as the sun sunk completely beneath the water, we watched the ferris wheel light up and shine red, white, and blue as we devoured our food.
I have not perfected this skill of happiness despite all circumstances by any means, but at least for one night, despite what may have seemed like a ruined moment, the picture perfect evening shone through. If we live only in search of the perfect moments, we risk missing all of the perfections hiding in the imperfect moments.
It was perfect…except that one of the boys had refused to eat much lunch and was now adamantly repeating how hungry he was. After a couple of rotations of the ferris wheel, both boys decided they were ready for a new adventure despite the serene scenery. We had no control over the ride's start/stop lever, so all we could do was sit back and enjoy the 15 minute ride. Maybe it was the serenity of the almost quiet within the car, the pure beauty of being on the water at sunset, or that evening's enhanced ability to tune out anything that was going to ruin the moment, but when the ferris wheel did come to a stop to the great appreciation of my boys, I found myself relaxed and happy.
We walked into our restaurant of choice and were seated immediately, an answer to prayer knowing the hunger level was already at high. Even better, we sat next to the window, and as the sun sunk completely beneath the water, we watched the ferris wheel light up and shine red, white, and blue as we devoured our food.
I have not perfected this skill of happiness despite all circumstances by any means, but at least for one night, despite what may have seemed like a ruined moment, the picture perfect evening shone through. If we live only in search of the perfect moments, we risk missing all of the perfections hiding in the imperfect moments.
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