Lessons

We just got back from a week in Colorado with my family. Our trip consisted of everything from intense hiking from which we all ached for days to lots of laughter around a little game called Farkel. It was sad to leave and come back to a world where I have to compete for Kevin's attention (against things like the internet and his cell phone and the World Cup). I understand why people go on vacation. It is so nice to get away sometimes. Elinore logged some serious hours in the backpack and enjoyed it for the most part. She did awesome! During the week her top two teeth broke through the gums, she learned how to clap, and she learned how to wave. I don't think she quite gets the idea...she waves at everything from people to cars to walls...and it's not just a flopping arm, it's totally a Miss America wave!

I have two thoughts for the moment:

1. You really don't know people. As we boarded the plane on the way home we walked through first class. Cynical me is walking by looking at all these people talking on their cell phones. I look at Elinore and she is waving at the man we're standing beside. He is talking on his cell phone, but suddenly looks up and sees her. His face broke into this huge grin and he started babbling to her and playing peek-a-boo. She reached out to touch his hand. "She's about 8 months?" he asked. "Wow," I replied, "Good guess!". "She just made my day," he said. It was like a shock back to reality. It made me so happy to see this business man on his cell phone scheduling his week suddenly change his entire manner not caring how silly he looked. There I was judging all of these people with their overpacked lives and technology leaking out of their eyeballs, and Elinore was innocently smiling and waving to all. How humbling to learn a lesson from my little 8-month old. Yarin (her middle name) - to understand.

2. I have a newfound understanding and grace for the "screaming baby on the plane". There was a moment when Elinore was sitting on my lap just crying. Kevin was rooting through the bag for the pacifier, and I thought, "On no, I have the screaming baby on the plane." It only lasted for about 2 minutes, but those of you with kids know how the two minutes can feel like the entire plane ride. The thing is, she is SUCH a good baby. Crying is so rare for her. Those of you who know her, know I'm not exaggerating. She hadn't napped all day because of the travelling, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. So now I know. The screaming baby isn't necessarily a bad/awnry/loud kid. It's just a kid that's hungry/sleep-deprived/stressed out. I'm sure some of them are the first kind of kid, but I'll feel compassion for them anyway since I won't be able to tell the difference. Poor kids.