First Times

I must thank my friends and family for the daily inspirations they provide me to write about.  Today's is courtesy of my beautiful niece.  She rolled over today, her first time.  A major accomplishment in the world of infants.  Her triumph today immediately reminded me of a few of my own: first day of school, first kiss, first home etc.  Our lives are full of very important firsts and rights of passage.  But what happens to all those other moments that may not be categorized as "first times"?  Getting out of bed for the first time today, (okay, I had a nap this afternoon), the first cuddle my dogs and I had, the first time I saw my co-workers, my first glorious sip of Timmy's coffee.  These all happened for the first time today.  Why do I lump them all together in an endless stream of seemingly familiar daily activities?  I had never experienced those moments before, but somehow I had forgotten to pay attention to the newness of those moments, to feel the aliveness and appreciation for life as they unfold.  Our lives, everyday, begin anew.  And yet, most of our daily experiences are chalked up to responsibilities, same-olds and been-there-done-that's.  We have forgotten to experience every moment of our lives as a new moment, something to savour and pay attention to.  We miss so much of our lives as we quickly finish the task at hand, while our minds have already jumped to the next to-do list item.  If I knew today were my last day to walk on this earth, I wouldn't miss one single moment, not even the most miniscule part.  I would appreciate every single person, every single breath, every beautiful bird song.  How do I manage to miss these things almost daily?  I forget that these things have never happened before, I take for granted that all I have is this moment, right now.  As I write this, I am crying, because right now, I feel so alive and grateful.  I have never been here before, in this bed, writing this blog, feeling these feelings.  This is the only place where my life can be experienced.  Right now. Right here.... there is no place I would rather be.