“Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the everyday things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon.”
(Booker T. Washington)
I was talking in a coffee shop with a good friend one night, he was bubbling & glowing when he spoke about his marriage. He told me how he had gotten home early & fixed dinner for his wife one evening…not planned, just did it. Her reaction, the look on her face & the heartfelt thank you was worth it. He followed that story up with a time when he was very sick, had come in from work & just crashed in his recliner & fell asleep. He awoke to his wife removing his shoes. She knew he was worn out & sick & wanted to make him comfortable. Then he looked at me with excitement & said, “It’s the little things”.
It is the little things. The things we often overlook. The things that we say don’t mean a whole lot; the things that make us smile bigger than a new house or car. The things that money can’t buy, but often purchase memories that last forever. The things that can build or destroy a relationship are little things that really should be the big ones.
After he said that, I scanned the room with that thought in mind. Saw a young couple sitting side by side, he had his laptop checking out the comments he just got from his “too funny” post on his favorite networking site…while his date rested her head on her hand with the look in her eyes like she was at a 3 hour soil conservation lecture. What a great time for the small things to have shown up.
While scanning, I saw another couple, both gazing into their phones like they were watching the return of Jesus on YouTube. Don’t think they ever looked up unless they were taking a sip of their Grande Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel drizzle, they also both drank with their pinkies out. Yep you guessed it, another good place for the small things.
Then I saw a couple come in, they sat down with their favorite drink in one hand & each other’s hand, in the other. No electronic devices present, no recognition of a funny wall post or a cute tweet or even that the place was packed…but a lot of verbal communication & eye contact, as well as a whole lot of small things.
Vern
3 comments:
That is how it should be. In this day and age, we take too much for granted when it comes to our spouses and then all of a sudden all of those 'small thing' moments have passed. Gradually, we drift farther and farther apart till we don't even recognize each other anymore. My parents have the right attitude about marriage. They have no electronics that take time away from each other. This is why they will celebrate 62 years together this June. Oh, that we all could learn that!
My father in law is missing the small things right now after losing his wife of 40 years :( He smiles remembering some of the small things about her but even more so he is sad about the small things he didn't do...... Don't forget to do the small things that make someone else smile! :)
Great!
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