The kitchen was a total mess, the dining room table even more so. Carter was sorting his trick or treating loot into two piles, one to keep and one for the Switch Witch*. He was also in the process of using his new little pencil sharpener to sharpen a dozen or so Halloween pencils he got from his classroom party. Pencil shavings were everywhere. Cody was scarfing by the handful microwave popcorn that had been leftover from his classroom party as if I had not just fed them a dinner of roasted red pepper tomato soup with homemade cornbread rolls. Sigh.
I had loaded the dishwasher but still needed to hand wash the pots and pans. I hate washing pots and pans. To put off the loathsome task a bit longer, I decided to grind the coffee beans and set up the pot for the following morning’s much needed cup or two of brew. As I set about measuring the beans and scooping them into the grinder, my mind wandered to the list of tasks that needed to be addressed come morning. Some squabble or another over the ownership of a piece of candy brought me back to the present. In an effort to change the direction of conversation, I asked the boys a question I ask almost every evening; what was your favorite part of today?
For Carter it was easy. Trick or treating and getting candy! Ah, Carter you are so sweet and so like me when I was your age. Cody did not answer right away and I was about to prompt him again in my exasperated are-you-listening-to-me mom voice when he spoke up. My favorite part of the day is right now.
Wow. I had never considered the possibility that the present, that moment we were all sharing when I asked that question, could actually be a favorite. In my eyes that moment was the end of the day chaos, something to get through before bedtime. But for Cody, his hands shiny with the butter from that move theater Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn, that moment was love and family (and popcorn.)
I stopped grinding coffee beans. I walked over to him and bent down. I asked him for a hug and did not mind at all when his little hands smeared the back of my shirt with popcorn residue. Suddenly the “right now” was starting to look a whole lot better and if I didn’t watch out, it just might become the favorite part of my day too.
*(In case you are unfamiliar with her, the Switch Witch comes in the night to takes the unwanted candy from a child’s trick or treating bag and gives in return a surprise. Our Switch Witch has been known to give tubes of glow stick bracelets and flashing LED rings. Our Switch Witch is lucky in that one of our boys does not like chocolate and the other does not like sour candies, yum.)
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
I often love the right now … but thinking I should get a switch witch of my own
I am usually in the rushing and looking forward to what needs to be done next mode so I forget to stop and appreciate the here and now.
I know a great Switch Witch I could recommend to you. 😉
good … maybe stop and smell the roses … or sometimes farts, its a great way to stay in the now
it’s those moments that really melt my heart and your stories always melt my heart! you’re so lucky!!! Switch WItch? I will have to start that once Charlie can understand that concept.
Ah, thank you. I am pretty darn lucky, aren’t I?
Oh, you need to start Charlie early just as one does with children and Santa. You put out the candy they don’t want (or let them choose to keep X number of pieces and the rest goes out on the front step) for the Switch Witch to come and take. She flies down on her broom, cackling all the while, takes the candy and leaves in its place a toy of some sort. The boys are very taken with this idea. And I think it works well for me and Husband too!
THat is so lovely.
(And I’d never heard of the Switch Witch before. It sounds like she’s got an awful job, but I guess someone’s got to do it. 😉 )
It stopped me dead in my tracks, I tell you what. He is one sweet child.
Being the Switch Witch is a rough job. Or so I would imagine…
So beautifully written – it brought a tear to my eye. We are all guilty of rushing through those perfect moments, perfect not because they are free from imperfections but because they are honest and lovely just the way they are. Thanks for this much needed reminder. And the Switch Witch sounds pretty awesome!
Thank you. It is amazing the inspiration I get from my kids and the insights they provide me on a daily basis. I had to stop and thank Cody for this great reminder, it was just so perfect the way he thought about it and decided on that exact moment.
And, yes, I am all about the Switch Witch. 😉
So sweet!! Sometimes it is good to be reminded how different things can be through the eyes of a child!
I was in a sour mood when I asked the question so his answer caught me off guard and gave me great pause. It was a great reminder from a sweet child.
Oh Cody, good answer! Messy hugs are the best hugs:-)
Really the best answer one could hope for.
He was really grooving on the popcorn since it was microwave and of the movie theater (super buttery) variety. We oven top pop ours and don’t add any butter so to him it was like a completely different food type. It does make for greasy fingers, but that is why I have Spray n’ Wash.
Very sweet. I don’t remember to enjoy the right now enough. And I love the idea of the switch witch – wish I’d heard of her years ago.
I am guilty of neglecting the beauty of the here and now too. I am glad my boys are here to remind me of them.
The idea of the Switch Witch is a beautiful one that I will be milking for years to come (hopefully.)
Out of the mouths of babes….they are so astute aren’t they? Seeing and feeling things that we somehow overlook. What a lovely moment and one worth treasuring.
Never heard of the switch witch, but I love the idea.
It was a really good reminder to enjoy the moment, even if that moment is chaotic. It helped me change around my frame of mind. Gotta love how kids look at the world and what they come up with. 🙂
So sweet! Switch Witch – what a great idea.
A great idea for sure – I wonder who came up with such a genius idea as the Switch Witch. I would like to thank them personally. 🙂
This is so sweet! Way to raise a little boy who knows how to be zen 🙂
I am not sure I can take credit for it since I have a hard time being zen, but I am sure glad Cody appreciates the “now” of life. He is pretty darn awesome if you ask me. 🙂
From the mouths of babes…oh such wisdom. Hugs, Sharon
They are pretty darn smart, kids. We could learn a lot from them if we listened a little more and played a little more.
I LOVE this!!
Thank you. Nothing like a simple statement from a child to put everything into perfect perspective.