Family traditions in nature – moments that matter
There are moments that I wish I could freeze time. Watching Harper, my six year old, skip down a trail in Lake Tahoe this weekend was one of those moments. It was pure joy she was experiencing. To watch her scramble over rocks with newfound agility, coordination and growing confidence was pure joy for her dad and me.
Her smile was huge as her senses were alive on our way to Cascade Falls. We passed another hiker in his seventies on his way back out. He smiled as he watched Harper skipping away. We said hello, not knowing that he was going to make us realize how important our family hikes were. This fellow from Santa Cruz had been going on this very hike annually for the past six decades. His parents first took him on this trail when he was ten. He explained that it was something special his parents did with him. Then he looked up at the sky and told us he still does the hike each year to honor them.
“Enjoy this time and keep coming back,” he said.
We looked at each other and said, “he’s right.” His words resonated with us.
This chance meeting with this stranger really impacted with my husband and I. It reminded us how important it was to take our daughter into nature and appreciate the beauty and magic it provides. We continued our hike to the falls with a deeper meaning to our family time.
It may sound corny, but you’re one with nature, and you’re one with each other. There are no distractions.
Take a moment to celebrate what you’ve done as a family and what you want to continue to do. Take a deep breath, look around and take it in.
It’s so important to get out and explore in nature. It’s important to have our children run free in the forest. Because it’s those moments that you will want to freeze in time.
–Sara
Thanks for sharing! Sometimes we get so busy we forget to take the time to truly take in what’s around us and where we are.
Thanks Rebekah – agreed…..we get so busy with our everyday that it is so wonderful to stop and enjoy our surroundings with family.